No, no, no, I’m not changing my blog to start my poll before four games have been played. That’s crazy, I hate the poll having too much say in things since wins become really impressive at the time and a team gets jumped up for a big win, but that club never has their ranking adjusted if that win turns out to be a dud. Think of it like this, if Michigan beats Notre Dame in week one, UM is going to fly up the polls, right? Probably go from 14th to top 10. But if Notre Dame spirals and is sitting at 3-3 by the mid point of the year, is Michigan’s ranking going to dip any? Nope. That’s why I like to wait and actually watch some games.
Real AP Poll:
- Alabama (42)
- Clemson (18)
- Georgia
- Wisconsin (1) – Hmm, I think I know who a reporter in Wisconsin voted for…
- Ohio State
- Washington
- Oklahoma
- Miami (FL)
- Auburn
- Penn State
- Michigan State
- Notre Dame
- Stanford
- Michigan
- USC
- TCU
- West Virginia
- Mississippi State
- Florida State
- Virginia Tech
- UCF – My champions are ready to defend their natty!
- Boise State
- Texas
- Oregon
- LSU – Why?
Teams on my radar:
American Athletic Conference:
UCF is clearly stacked but don’t forget that USF returns a nice team (outside replacing stud QB Quinton Flowers) and the west has a ton of nice clubs like Houston, Memphis, and Navy. I fully expect multiple AAC teams to be ranked during this season.
Atlantic Coast Conference:
I’m not stupid, I love Clemson like everyone else. Miami also returns a ton of talent from a division champ club last year. Florida State and Virginia Tech have high upside but aren’t as proven as the Tigers or Caines. NC State is a really intriguing team, though. I think there is a real shot for the Wolfpack to get into my poll during this season.
Big 12:
Oklahoma and TCU are no brainers. West Virginia has a stacked offense but we will see if that D is good enough to keep them ranked all year. Texas still looks like a work in progress to me. Oklahoma State is young but Gundy is a proven winner so don’t sleep on the Pokes. Iowa State also has a very talented roster, although the Cyclones always start under the radar in this conference.
Big Ten:
I agree that all five clubs currently ranked have big potential this year. Iowa, Northwestern, and to a lesser extent Purdue are also teams that could find themselves creeping up the polls if they play up to their ability and avoid their inconsistencies of last year.
Conference USA:
Florida Atlantic rightly earned votes and outside the Oklahoma game, Owls have a really good shot in all other 11 games on the schedule. When it is all said and done, Kiffin’s club could be the group of five representative in a major bowl.
Independents:
Notre Dame’s defense is good enough to justify some buzz this year but they lost so much offensive talent that I am skeptical of the Irish’s long-term projection for this season.
Mid-American:
Some nice clubs in this league like Toledo, Northern Illinois, and Ohio but each of them will need to string quite a few wins together before getting the correct amount of buzz to be ranked. NIU does have a chance for a statement week one with a trip to Iowa City though.
Mountain West:
Boise State is obviously a legit club with several potential NFL players filling their ranks. Don’t ignore San Diego State, Fresno State, Wyoming, or even an experienced Utah State team as additional clubs that could get ranked from this highly competitive league.
Pac 12:
Washington and Stanford are stacked. Oregon and USC have tons of potential but Utah and Arizona don’t just have the ability to get ranked but could even stun Los Angeles by stealing the south from the Trojans.
Southeastern Conference:
No real beef here outside not drinking the LSU kool-aid yet. Florida might pan out to be a good team, too so don’t write off Mullen’s Gators just yet.
Sun Belt:
League favorites Appalachian State, Arkansas State, and Troy all have the opportunity to get ranked this year, especially if they get a huge upset along the way like Troy did a season ago when they took down LSU.
Big Ten and Counting 