This is the week that the BlogPoll officially lost any fun for me. The only solace I can take in putting Penn State in it, and as high, is that every other Big 11 team has proceeded to lose the minute they really started shooting up the poll. Here’s to that consistency continuing.
Really, after the top 15 or maybe 20, it becomes a struggle to find enough teams that actually fit being considered “top 25.” With all the mid-majors tanking early this year, none are even close to earning reconsideration barely half-way through the season. I mean, I look at the last 10 and I either question how high I have them or the fact that I’ve even got them in the poll. Then I look for anyone else, and come up blank.
- Southern Cal – As long as they keep winning
- Texas – I know I was half expecting the scoreboard to show an Oklahoma upset
- Virginia Tech – Just toyed with Marshall
- Georgia – Maybe this Shockley kid is halfway decent
- Miami (Florida) – They may not have Temple any longer, but Duke is a worthy replacement for abuse
- Alabama – DNP
- Florida State – Wake gave them a start, and enough to ask more questions about the legitimacy of this team
- Notre Dame – DNP. Either Weis will cement his legend early or the secondary will finally be exposed.
- Louisiana State – Score looked good, but most was piled up in the 4th quarter against Vandy.
- Florida – See above.
- Penn State – Damn
- Michigan State – Wow. The Land Grant Trophy game could actually mean something this year.
- Ohio State – Good team, but not top-ten good.
- Auburn – DNP
- Tennessee – Which fan base is more infuriated with their head coach squandering talent? Michigan or Tennessee?
- Texas Tech – Shouldn’t be bragging about beating Nebraska. Especially the way that bad Cornhusker offense actually was scoring.
- Louisville – If I’m Coach Petrino, I show the players a two minute lowlight reel of the USF game before every game for the rest of the season.
- UCLA – Nice going. Now beat someone outside of the state of California
- Boston College – I’m trying to figure whether their a slightly better version of underachieving UVA teams or a slightly worse version of underachieving VT teams.
- West Virginia – The Maryland win is looking better and so is the VT loss.
- Baylor – I’ve ranked Vandy, now Baylor. What’s next? Indiana?
- Oregon – Beat ASU in Tempe. Aside from the drubbing from USC, they are okay.
- Cal – Smoke and mirrors exposed or just a glitch?
- Colorado – The Big 12 North is like the NL West
- Arizona State – Hanging on because there wasn’t anyone else I liked more.
Out: Michigan (and not back in until they can string together at least 2 quality wins no matter who they beat or what lack of teams to place), Nebraska, Georgia Tech and Wisconsin.
In: Baylor, Oregon, Penn State and Colorado
Scraping Standing by: Maryland, UConn?, Minnesota??, USF??? (at least their only losses were to teams now ranked pretty darn high). Any other suggestions of teams to watch? If the pattern continues there will be some new candidates needed to fill out the bottom.
Games seen in whole or part: NCSt.-GT; WVU-RU; Cinci-Pitt; UGA-Tenn; USC-AZ; Oregon-ASU; OSU-PSU.
