The polls are out, and lo and behold, five—count 'em, five—SEC teams are in the top 10.
Congrats SEC fans. Anyone here surprised?
It's the new recipe for success. Play cupcakes the first three weeks, and you too can get some unfounded respect from pollsters who still don't understand the concept of diligent evaluation.
Georgia is No. 3 and probably deserves to be in the top 10 based on the way they finished last year. But do they deserve it this year more than some other teams? Maybe. Maybe not.
Florida is No. 5, and while the Gators look to be a very good team, so far they haven't played to their potential and don't look like they are title-bound yet.
LSU is at No. 6 and should get the benefit of the doubt because dang it, they are the defending champs and should be No. 1 until they are beaten. The Tigers have the best claim as to why they should be No. 1 this early in the season and before conference play.
Alabama at No. 9 is a bit puzzling. They beat an obviously over-hyped Clemson team but somehow got boosted by it. Sure, we were all impressed with the Week One effort, but after that game, what did they do?
The Tide struggled to put away a Tulane team. Maybe it was the hangover effect, but still—Tulane? They did beat Western Kentucky 41-7, but again, a second team that offers little competition is offered up on a platter and the Tide is rewarded.
Auburn at No. 10 is the biggest surprise. Who are we kidding? This team lacks offensive firepower and will lose to LSU this weekend. Big.
The Auburn Tigers played Louisiana-Monroe and Southern Miss and didn't do a great job of selling either win. Their pathetic 3-2 score against Mississippi State was even more underwhelming.
Tommy Tuberville called it a great defensive battle, but anyone who watched that game will tell you otherwise—it was an exercise in offensive futility. Yet they were rewarded with a top 10 ranking.
SEC fans will point to their tough conference as the reason why they get so much respect—but except for Auburn, none have played another SEC team so far.
So what does their tough conference have to do with this? They have played cupcakes so far and are getting rewarded more than they should.
SEC fans will also point out that these five teams are undefeated, so they deserve that lofty status. Really? More than some other teams?
Penn State is undefeated and has destroyed every team in its path. Sure, they played some cupcakes, but which is more impressive—beating Tulane 20-6, or Oregon State 45-14? Beating Western Kentucky 41-7, or Syracuse 55-13?
The Nits, by the way, are No. 16, behind No. 13 Ohio State.
BYU has beaten Northern Iowa 41-17, Washington 28-27, and UCLA 59-0. That last loss is particularly interesting because an SEC team, Tennessee, lost to the Bruins in Week One, even though the Bruins did everything possible to hand them the game.
But once again, the pollsters put the Cougars at No. 14, behind Ohio State.
The Oregon Ducks are 3-0, beating Washington 44-10, Utah State 66-24, and Purdue, on the road, 32-26 in OT. Just curious, but if an SEC team had beaten Washington, Utah State, and Purdue, where would they have been ranked?
No. 1? Probably.
167 comments Last one added 9 months ago — Leave a Comment
Jeff Kneis 9 months ago
I agree with you that the pollsters are really leaning toward the SEC so far this season. I wish I could get an explanation how Ohio State could still be ranked ahead of Oregon. Great article with great analysis.
Look forward to reading future articles.
Edit Comment Cancel
Lisa Horne 9 months ago
Well, their successes the last five years have a lot to do with it, but still, the teams are not being fairly evaluated. My honest opinion is that the Big 12 looks deeper this year than the SEC. I see Florida and Georgia as the front runners, with Bama as a dark horse, and LSU well, the QB situation isn't settling with me well.
Edit Comment Cancel
Midd Read 9 months ago
BYU beating Northern Iowa and Washington? Are you kidding me? Washington hasn't won a game yet...how could that possibly be considered a quality win. Same goes for Oregon beating Washington and the mighty Aggies of the prestigious WAC. Those are not quality wins. East Carolina was rewarded for their wins against Virginia Tech and West Virginia by being voted into the top 25. Seeing as they didn't even have any votes prior to those two victories I'd say that's a pretty big leap. And as far as Alabama beating an overhyped Clemson team, that's just garbage. Clemson has the top 3 ACC Preseason Player of the Year candidates. The hype was justified. And they've kept winning ever since, so why shouldn't they move up in the polls? Auburn and Georgia both beat quality teams that have actually won games this year. The SEC deserves this recognition clearly.
Edit Comment Cancel
Lisa Horne 9 months ago
Who have Auburn and Georgia beat? Missy State and South Carolina? Those two teams may be sitting at the bottom of the SEC.
Why is it that you are deriding Washington as a bad Pac-10 team when Missy State is worse? Missy lost to a WAC team! Washington has lost to BYU, Oregon and Oklahoma. Are you out of your mind?
Oregon beat a bad conference foe, like Auburn did, but beat Purdue on the road. Purdue is a much better team than Tulane. Use your head here.
Edit Comment Cancel
Clayton 9 months ago
Hey Midd,
Don't listen to her. She has no idea what she is talking about. She is one of these girls that rather watch total offense, than a good game. That is why she lives in P.A.C. 10 country. It is a social event for them. She probably only catches the highlights of SEC games on espn.com and makes game assumptions from the final score. Defense is king in the SEC. Everybody knows this and is willing to say it except for the PAC 10.
She is also wrong about the Auburn-LSU game being a blow out this year. If she would have done her research she would have learned that the last 4 games b/w them have been decided by a total 14 points.
But this also come from the same mind that picked Washington to beat Oklahoma because the huskies where OWED a victory after the sad loss to BYU.
Seems to me she is only employed by Fox Sports to keep up their demographics, because she sure don’t know what the hell she is talking about.
Edit Comment Cancel
Nick The Only 9 months ago
I take issue with several statements:
"Alabama at No. 9 is a bit puzzling. They beat an obviously over-hyped Clemson team but somehow, got boosted by it. Sure, we were all impressed with week one's effort, but after that game, what did they do?"
By this rationale, USC should not be #1. They beat a clearly over-hyped OSU team. Also, their win over Virginia doesn't look too impressive considering that UConn (yes, they have a football team) beat Virginia by over 30 points.
"While it may not be fair, the pollsters have awarded SEC teams top ten status after beating cupcakes"
Oklahoma has only beaten cupcakes too (UW is a cupcake). Besides, the statement is just not true. Florida has played an FBS team (Hawaii) and a BCS team (Miami). Alabama beat Clemson. Auburn beat Mississippi State. Georgia beat S. Car.
"The pollsters will, no doubt, somehow find a way to put Vandy in the top 25 if a couple of SEC teams drop, won't they? After all, the Commies are in second place in the SEC East, beating the Gamecocks, Owls and Redhawks. Who? Feeling a little confused? Fed up yet?"
Why not criticize the pollsters for putting FSU in the top 25 after beating two FCS teams? Vandy has just as good of resume as many top 25 teams.
Why the bias against the SEC? The SEC has proven that its top teams are better than the top teams in any other conference. The last two BCS title games have proven that. If the University of Southern Chokelifornia can get through its pathetic conference schedule then they will have their turn being embarassed by an SEC team in the BCS title game.
Edit Comment Cancel
Lisa Horne 9 months ago
Nick...you are mad that FSU is in the top 25 after beating two cupcakes, and yet Auburn beat So. Miss and ULM? Are you kidding me?
Missy State is not a cupcake but Washington is? Missy state lost to Tech. Washington lost to Oregon, BYU and Oklahoma...THREE UNDEFEATED TEAMS. Nice logic.
Edit Comment Cancel
Nick The Only 9 months ago
FSU's two cupcakes were of a much lower quality (read: FCS) than Auburn's two cupcakes. Plus Auburn started the season ranked and has done nothing to merit a drop in the rankings. Regardless of what anyone else says, I am more impressed by a team scoring 3 points and winning than many of these blowouts against directional nobodies.
Washington had a losing record last year and has not won a game this year. Mississippi State had a winning record last year and has actually won a game this year.
Lisa, I am not trying to bash you. I agree with your general premise. The pollsters put too much weight in past seasons' performance than in current success. Technically, ECU should be the #1 team in the country because they have the most impressive resume so far. They beat two ranked teams (although I doubt that either VT or WVU finishes the season ranked) and a decent Tulane team. Florida, USC, Missouri and Georgia all deserve to be top 5 teams based on their performances this season. Oklahoma and PSU have both taken care of business against vastly inferior teams and deserve to be in the top 10.
I just disagree with the article's slant against the SEC. The SEC has won the last two national titles and, so far, the top 5 SEC teams have yet to lose.
Edit Comment Cancel
Ryan Bird 9 months ago
"I just disagree with the article's slant against the SEC. The SEC has won the last two national titles and, so far, the top 5 SEC teams have yet to lose."
Ya, but your "Far Superior SEC Florida" lost to Michigan in their BCS bowl game last year... So last year even though the won the title they lost their other BCS bowl to a supposed "overrated" Big 10 (11) team...
I'd have to say I have to side with Lisa on this one-And I hate to admit that because I don't agree with her too often. Of 'course that could be because we root for rivals.
Edit Comment Cancel
Wade Heyl 9 months ago
Ryan, the Florida-Michigan game was not a BCS game.
There are few teams in the country that would have hung with Michigan in Carrs final game.
Edit Comment Cancel
Mitch at sportschatplace.com 9 months ago
I bashed Georgia's pre season ranking as much as anyone but they are really good, they would spank USC. Not sure why Bama is ranked there, at least most of those teams play each other so it sorts itself out, no one ever won a National Title in mid September..
Edit Comment Cancel
Lisa Horne 9 months ago
Good points Mitch. I think Georgia is on the cusp. To me, Mizzou, USC, Oklahoma, LSU and PSU all have valid claims to No.1. The rest, I'm not sold on.
Edit Comment Cancel
Nick The Only 9 months ago
How does Florida not have a claim at #1? They've faced stiffer competition than PSU and Oklahoma.
Edit Comment Cancel
Ryan Bird 9 months ago
Nick, Florida didn't look too good in their win over Miami... It wasn't until the 4th quarter that they actually put some real points on the board. And that's with your Heisman quarterback.
Edit Comment Cancel
Edmon 9 months ago
Ryan, their offense didn't look good. Their defense looked stellar. Only allowing a long field goal and not letting Miami get passed the 50 in the second half is not good?
Edit Comment Cancel
lsuornuthin shaw 9 months ago
DID U JUST SAY SPANK USC?????/ WOWWWW I DONT BELIEVE THAT AND I BLEED AND CRAP SEC AND HATE THE PAC 10 BUT USC IS AS CLOSE TO A PRO TEAM AS U WILL GET THEY CAN GO TO THE ARENA LEAGUE AND CONTEND WITH SAN JOSE. BUT ANYWHOO GA WONT EVEN WIN THE SEC THEY WILL FALL EITHER AGAINST FL OR LSU. AND THE SEC IS THAT CRAZY IT COULD B AGAINST MISS. TEAM. OR EVEN G TECH. AND TO ANSWER YO QUESTION AND AS PAINFUL AS IT SOUNDS TO SAY ALABAMA WILL WIN THE SEC TITLE WITH BITC# SABIAN AND HIS YOUTH THAST THE ONLY GAME IM WORRIED ABOUT ON OUR SCHEDULE. AND ALABAMA IS RANKED CUZZ THEY NOCKED OF THE TEAM THAT WILL WIN THE ACC AND THEY ARE A GOOD TEAM. aND THERE FROM SEC GREATEST CONF. EVER.......
Edit Comment Cancel
12 9 months ago
Great read with some solid facts Lisa. I really can't argue with your observations. An argument can be made either way. Penn State and East Carolina both deserve props. I think Tulane may be a better team than most think, but that remains to be seen. They played ECU tough, and as you mentioned they played Bama tough as well. The difference in this year's Bama team vs last year is the fact that Bama lost these kinds of games last year (see ULM and Miss. St.), and this season they have shown an ability to play all 4 quarters, even when they are having a seemingly down game (although I'm not so sure Tulane was a down game). We'll see how Tulane plays the remainder of the season. I wouldn't label Tulane as a cupcake after the games they have played against Bama and ECU. Western Kentucky was a cupcake. Also, it's bewildering to me how so many people have discarded Clemson because Bama stomped a mud hole in them. Bama played a great game, and didn't win that game because Clemson was a bad team, they just did what they had to do to win the game, and that was to hit Clemson in the mouth for all four quarters, and prove that they came to play. I don't think Clemson expected Bama to be that good, and it definitely caught Clemson by surprise. Clemson will be fine, but Bama deserves the credit for playing a great game, their best game since the Tennessee game last year.
I have Auburn ranked 12th behind Texas Tech and East Carolina.
The bottom line is I think 4 of the 5 teams are deserving of a top 10 ranking, but an argument can be made for Penn State and East Carolina, as you have shown here. I always enjoy your work. Good job.
Edit Comment Cancel
Lisa Horne 9 months ago
Foe the record, I think Alabama is a superior team to Auburn, and this year, the 0-6 chant will be quieted. Auburn fans are alarmed, they admit it on their team's message boards. Go get 'em!
Edit Comment Cancel
12 9 months ago
I'm looking for Tubby to do something drastic soon, possibly this week. I wouldn't be surprised to see him pull in the reigns on Franklin and go with a combo of a more traditional mix of play calling, along with Franklin's offense. Tubby is not a patient man. You can bet this offense has caused him much concern.
Edit Comment Cancel
Lee Henderson 9 months ago
I think Alabama is a better than Auburn and will have a better record this year but I've been watching John Parker Wilson since he was a freshman in high school and he's no SEC quarterback. He basically got recognized only because he had Chad Jackson to run under bomb passes. Against Auburn's defense he'll do something to screw up and make it 7 in a row.
Edit Comment Cancel
12 9 months ago
Lee, Chad Jackson played for Florida.
Edit Comment Cancel
Kody Brannon 9 months ago
Great article Lisa, While I would agree that the SEC top to bottom is the best confrence, The non-confrence schedules do seem to be a little fishy. It will all work it self out in the end...hopefully.
Edit Comment Cancel
Gray Ghost 9 months ago
First of all, I am offended by the "Go Gators" remark at the end of the article. Lisa, how could you?
Secondly, while the Dawgs haven't looked as impressive as I would have liked - we do have a killer schedule, and we either keep winning and thereby win your respect......or lose and leave you gloating with an "I told you so!" smirk.
Question: Who is your Heisman pick right now?
Edit Comment Cancel
Lisa Horne 9 months ago
You know I love dem Gators. Sorry.
Heisman: Rey Maualuga or Chase Daniel. Take your pick.
Good luck Saturday...I'm actually rooting for the Dawgs because I rarely want Pac-10 teams to win. I want the Trojans to play a depressed Sun Devils team.
Edit Comment Cancel
Wade Heyl 9 months ago
It's very convenient of you to use the "X team beat Y team, and Z team beat A team so X>Z" argument. In case you don't know, football is not an exact science and you cannot try to quantify the quality of a team on a single data point in relation to single data points of other teams. In other words, just b/c a team loses to another team that does not make the winner the better team. Does anyone really think Stanford was better than USC last year? Do many people outside of NY really think the Giants were the better team this last Feb?
You have to use judgment when ranking teams and/or discussing which team is better than another team. Do you really think East Carolina or BYU are better than OSU? They may be close, but I seriously doubt either team could hang with OSU week in and week out if they played 10 games in a row.
Maybe some of the SEC teams are ranked high, but there are other teams ranked high that may not deserve it. The season is too young to start to really place teams in "slots". I think the pollsters are going by what they feel and what they have seen in recent years. And I know you hate the SEC, but the fact is the SEC has been the strongest conference by far the last few years. This year, IMHO, the Big-12 has closed that gap considerably. With the big-10 in 3rd, and the ACC, Big East, and Pac-10 fighting for 4th in conference strength.
And lay off the "cupcake" argument. It is tired and trite. Every year BCS schools schedule mid-majors and 2A's. USC is almost forced to schedule other BCS schools b/c they have no competition in the Pac-10. Don't get me wrong, I think USC has an extraordinary program, but the conference is weak.
For your future articles, please try to show semblance of being unbiased. Your articles come across as nothing more than an anti-SEC tirade.
Edit Comment Cancel
Lisa Horne 9 months ago
Wade-
Don't get you wrong? If the Pac-10 is so weak, then why are they 10-6 against the SEC this decade? Why have your supposed better SEC teams lost to the Pac's mediocre teams? That weak argument is pretty biased, and just a sign of too much Kool-aid. UCLA made the Vols look bad. Last year Cal did.
And yes, by the way, I think ECU or BYU is better than OSU, sorry. They have played quality teams. It doesn't matter how tough your conference is, it matters if you win.
I don't hate the SEC, and it's impossible to hate a conference anyway. I don't hate anyone. Or thing. I don't see a conference as an entity. It's a group of teams who are different as night and day. The hater label is so yesterday.
I'm a Gator fan. As much as I want them to do well this year, last year's loss to Michigan stunk. This year they look vulnerable. I'm a realist.
Edit Comment Cancel
Wade Heyl 9 months ago
And if we go back over the past 4 years the SEC beats the Pac-10, 5-4. We can manipulate the numbers anyway we want to make our own points. I, along with the majority of the realist CFB nation, don't need to look at the stats over the past 10 years to know the SEC is deeper than the Pac-10.
The Pac-10 has the BCS title game front-runner USC, and one pretty good teams in Oregon, and three teams that are big question marks in UCLA, Cal, and ASU.
The SEC has 3 BCS title game contenders in LSU, Florida, and Georgia. Two good teams in Bama and AU. And big question mark in Tenn.
You really want to take that ECU and BYU vs. OSU bet to the bank? I'd love some free money.
How exactly is it impossible to hate a conference? Hater label is "so yesterday"? That saying is "sooo like whaaateverrrr".
What does Florida have to do with this? I can't understand how you are a fan of both USC and the Gators? Or the Redskins and the Raiders? What do you do if they play each other? And every team is vunerable, every team can have a Stanford sneak up on them.
Edit Comment Cancel
Ryan Bird 9 months ago
Lisa, you are biased against Notre Dame... You can't say otherwise, just look at the slant in any of your articles that even mention Notre Dame. I can think of one article that you wrote that mention Notre Dame that you didn't slander them the whole time... One.
I find that as long as your article doesn't involve USC or Notre Dame; they are usually pretty good. But as soon as you go into your "USC is better than everybody else by a 50 point spread" rants or "Notre Dame is so bad they would loose to themselves" rant you loose all credibility.
I can understand the fact that you have passion for your beloved USC, but that is what is keeping you from becoming a better writer. A better writer writes with as little bias as possible.
I do agree with this article though. Only Florida, LSU and Georgia deserve to be in the top then from the SEC. But not Auburn or 'Bama. Auburn should have dropped based on their 3-2 win last week. Maybe they are a top 20.
Edit Comment Cancel
Brandon Ridgway 9 months ago
Wade has a good point Lisa. His comment sums it up for me.
Edit Comment Cancel
Lisa Horne 9 months ago
Good to know you're a free-thinking person! :p
Edit Comment Cancel
Lisa Horne 9 months ago
Good to know you're a free-thinking person! :p
Edit Comment Cancel
Roy LaFaver 9 months ago
The thing you overlook is that SEC teams don't really have to take on big out-of-conference games to build their power rating, so why should they? They will get plenty of tests in conference, so the early walk-overs provide a chance to get reserve players reps on the field. This is a good thing when you consider a lot of those reserves are going to be starters after all the snot-knocking that will take place in conference. Did you happen to notice the number of LSU reserves playing in the SEC championship game last year?
As far as the polls, nobody should be concerned about the number of SEC teams in the top ten. They won't be there long, and every knowledgeable fan knows this. I suspect Auburn will be out of there next week, and there is a possibility Florida will take a big drop. Just give it time, and SEC haters will get their wishes.
One little pet rant. Ever since one of the talking heads on ESPN questioned the QB situation at LSU it has been mentioned in articles all over the place, as well as in comments by fans. I don't see the problem, but my purple and gold glasses might be getting in the way. Hatch is going to be just what the doctor ordered. You do know the boy transferred from Hahvud. Not only is he smart, he's big and he can run. But communication might be a problem. Most of his teammates are from Louisiana where they don't "go buy groceries"; they "go make groceries".
Edit Comment Cancel
Lisa Horne 9 months ago
Roy-
While I agree they play some great games, this article is about top ten placements in the polls. Only one team has played another SEC team, and that team is a bad team. So why all of the top ten rankings? They haven't done anything more than beat cupcakes like alot of other teams. Please tell me how PSU's schedule is worse than LSU's?
Please, don't let Florida drop. If they lose to the Vols I will be crushed.
Edit Comment Cancel
Roy LaFaver 9 months ago
I think pollsters pretty much go by the same things ESPN talking heads harp on. SPEED. The nature of the sports business has changed, and today they can give you the 40 yard speed of a great many high-school players. I believe they get all giddy about SEC speed, and I can understand that, although we know that isn't all it takes to be a great team. And the SEC has so many marquis coaches, they are probably impressed by that as well. But if they really think SEC teams are that good, why do they drop them like a rock when they lose to another SEC team. Either Auburn or LSU will be out of the top ten Monday. But if they deserve their rankings, the obvious question is "why".
I like to see a lot of them in there early on because the conference is, contrary to ESPinion, very unpredictable, and if the eventual champion doesn't get a good start in the polls they have no chance for the BCS championship. Fair is fair, and the SEC has won 4 BCS titles; they have never lost one. I would say all four of those teams deserved to be there, and going by the results of the game in 04, Auburn deserved to be there as well. But a great many people around the rest of the country did not believe LSU deserved a spot in 03 or 07. If they had not started so high in the polls they probably would not have been there. Work on that one.
Edit Comment Cancel
Justin Carter 9 months ago
Lisa
you stated: Only one team has played another SEC team...
Am I missing something? UGA @ South Carolina, and Ms. St. @ Auburn.
I dont know if anyone else caught this, if someone else has then I apologize.
Edit Comment Cancel
Michael Oleszek 9 months ago
Where's the article about drinking the Big 12 Kool-Aid???
4 teams in the Top 11.
#2 Oklahoma has beaten Chattanooga (FCS), Cincy (FBS), and winless Washington (FBS). Not too tough on the mighty Sooners.
#5 Missouri has beaten Illinois (FBS), SE Missouri State (FCS), and Nevada (FBS). Illinois was the toughest game.
#7 Texas has beaten FAU and UTEP, both FBS schools. Not too tough.
#11 Texas Tech has beaten Eastern Washington (FCS), Nevada (FBS), and SMU (FBS). Again, not too tough, but they only scored 35 against Nevada, which just got thumped by Missouri.
Edit Comment Cancel
Lisa Horne 9 months ago
Agree on Texas Tech and Mizzou.
Texas beat the sunbelt champ, which according to SEC fans, is a quality win. Oklahoma beat a BCS team. They get credit...especially because they were on the road.
How many top ranked SEC teams traveled on the road their first games? Maybe two? Georgia @ SC and Auburn @ Missy State. For comparison, 12 games were on the road for Pac-10 teams.
Finally, we aren't talking about the Big 12. That could be a separate article. This is about the SEC. That strawman argument doesn't work with me.
Edit Comment Cancel
Michael Oleszek 9 months ago
Here's another reason why the SEC is given so much weight in the polls:
The Set Precedent on a National Stage.
The SEC is undefeated in BCS National Championship Games
11-4 BCS record (.733 Winning percentage)
4 BCS-Era National Champions
The last 2 BCS-Era National Champions
Since 2004 - Pollsters make up for undefeated Auburn being shut out of National Championship Game
The SEC at-large teams in the BCS are 4-1.
Plus, when you add in the "Toughest Conference in the Nation," it tends to make people gravitate towards the SEC.
Edit Comment Cancel
Edmon 9 months ago
Preseason rankings have a lot to do with it. I don't hear you complaining about USC jumping everyone when they played Virginia. The same team that UCONN beat 45-10. I also find it ironic that you bash people who defend the SEC while you take shots at the conference as a whole. Can't have it both ways.
BTW, USC looked good against Ohio State (okay, who doesn't). It's a long race and we've only hit turn one. Good luck...
Edit Comment Cancel
Lisa Horne 9 months ago
Edmon...I didn't complain, but I also put up an argument as to why I thought LSU should be #1. I took an SEC's team's side.
I actually listed five teams that all had valid reasons for the No. 1 spot, and if any of them were No. 1, it would get no argument from me.
I'm bashing the pollsters for drinking the Kool-aid.
Edit Comment Cancel
Edmon 9 months ago
Those same Kool-Aid drinking pollsters have your USC No. 1. I'm sure you are good with that. I also agree with Michael. Maybe you should have titled this 'Pollsters: "Gimme Some More of That SEC/Big XII Kool-Aid". Maybe then it wouldn't feel like you are always singling out the SEC to bash.
If I didn't say so, I enjoy reading your stuff. Even if most of the time I don't agree.
Edit Comment Cancel
Michael Hicks 9 months ago
Great read lisa! You make good points on the SEC but every team in college football plays cupcakes you have to if you want to make into the BCS at the end of the year and every team cant be in the top-10 can they. I think the SEC has been built up by the media to be the toughest confrence they do own the last two NC.
Edit Comment Cancel
Lisa Horne 9 months ago
Thanks Michael. Washington played Oklahoma, BYU and Oregon their first 3 games. They have the #1 SOS schedule in the nation. UCLA plays Utah, Fresno State and Tennessee. USC plays Virginia, OSU and ND.
Those three non-conference schedules are very good, even if the teams aren't playing as well as they did last year. The intent on scheduling quality games and not cupcakes is quite evident, don't you think?
Edit Comment Cancel
Timothy Croley 9 months ago
Lisa, other than LSU or East Carolina I can't think of any team that deserves to be at the top spot.
LSU is the defending champs and has not lost yet. East Carolina is the only team to knock of two top 25 teams.
You give me any other team and I'll tell you why they are not deserving of any status so far this year. I'm really glad you brought this up. This will drastically change the way I vote next week in the B/R poll. Very thought provoking.
Good read.
Edit Comment Cancel
Lisa Horne 9 months ago
Tim-
I agree, LSU has a valid argument for it. They are the champs until next January. Glad you feel that way too.
Edit Comment Cancel
Tim Pollock 9 months ago
I'm usually on board, Lisa, but this is loco if you ask me.
In the next few weeks, teams will lose, the cream will rise, and the win-loss columns will likely line up who is in the top 10.
Furthermore, the transitive property simply doesn't work in college football.
I say let's wait and see who is still standing after a few conference games before blasting the polls.
Edit Comment Cancel
Lisa Horne 9 months ago
Tim...the pollsters aren't making sense. How are 3+ undefeated teams behind OSU? The Bucks wins over Penguins and Bobcats count more than those other undefeated team's?
Edit Comment Cancel
BabyTate 9 months ago
Does this mean we can have a playoff?
Edit Comment Cancel
Lisa Horne 9 months ago
Amen BT, amen.
Edit Comment Cancel
Scott Pusich 9 months ago
I sure hope so, BT. The *cough* "sooner" the better.
Edit Comment Cancel
J.C. Ayvazi 9 months ago
Make it so.
Edit Comment Cancel
Zach Paschal 9 months ago
Lisa when are we squaring of on the college football pick'em? I told you I'm game. I wasn't just on here to spew crap and run. Let's do it!! It's the closest this year the Irish (me) are going to get to beating the Trojans (you)!!!
Edit Comment Cancel
Zeptogator 9 months ago
Lisa - You sound like a politician debating issues in a circular, exaggerated, non-substantive fashion. Your arguments seem to lack any foundation or grounding other than win-loss record, and ignores strength of schedule, match-up differences, home vs. away factors, and intangibles. However, your article is rather entertaining and thought-provoking, so thanks for that.
I agree that the SEC is over-rated with 5 in the top ten. However, the SEC hands-down has the best and deepest defenses in the country and solid special teams (along with USC, OU, perhaps PSU). UF, UGA, and LSU also have explosive offenses, but the rest of the SEC offenses are pedestrian in my opinion, and in most non-SEC match-ups that will be enough.
Time and time again we've seen explosive offenses put up huge numbers which gets them into the BCS (like Hawaii, so would argue OSU too), only to get embarrassed. Defense wins championships and margin of victory doesn't mean squat, it's just for show and entertainment like this article. It gives us something to do while we wait for the next game.
Edit Comment Cancel
Lisa Horne 9 months ago
Whoa....i didn't say that the SEC was overrated! I said one, possibly two teams didn't deserve the top ten ranking. YET.
This is part of the problem I have with SEC fans..they lump what you say about a few teams as indictative of an entire conference. It's SEC Kool-aid.
Don't think Auburn belongs in top ten...they don't look like a top ten team. And I'm not sold on Florida, but since I root for them, I hope they show up @ Knoxville. Let's put it this way: ECU and Penn State look like they could beat Auburn. They have played equal or better teams and won decisively. That's what I am basing this on.
PS. Chomp chomp!
Edit Comment Cancel
lsuornuthin shaw 9 months ago
FIRST OFF DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS IS A MYTH VINCE YOUNG DIDNT INTERCEPT MATT OR TACKLE REGGIE BUSH. RYAN P. FROM LSU DIDNT TACKLE BEENIE WELLS. LETS GO TO THE SUPER BOWL PLAX. BURR. DIDNT SACK TOM BRADY ONCE. ANOTHER PARABLE FOR YOU IM A BEARS AND SAINTS FAN. AND IF DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS HOW IS THE BEARS. TAMPA. BALTIMORE. EAGLES. SUPER BOWL WINNERS IN THE LAST 5 YRS? OR BETTER YET THE COLTS WON A FEW YEARS BACK DID THEY HAVE THE BEST DEFENSE? OR THE BEST AT THE TIME OR DID THEY SIMPLY STEP IT UP. LAST EXAMPLE FOR U 1999 ST. LOUIS RAMS THEY HAD GREAT D? OR DID THEY OUT SCORE YOU? NOW BACK TO COLLEGE THE SEC OVERRATED U SHOULD HAVE YOUR TUNG CUT OFF AND THROWN IN PIG SLOP. U TAKE THE BOTTOM TEAMS ANY EVERY DIVISION AND TAKE OUR BOTTOM TEAMS AND THEY CAN GO TO OTHER CONF. AND COMPETE. TAKE TENN. THERE BOTTOM TERE TO ME BOTH MISS.TEAMS AND VANDY U CAN PUT VANDY WHO ALMOST ONE THIS YR AGAINST WAKE FOREST WHO MITE WIN THE ACC AND THEY WILL GO AND COMPETE IF U PUT THEM IN THE WAC. PUT TENN IN THE MAC OR THE ACC COME ON. WE HAVE 4 SOLID NATIONAL TITLE CONTENDERS EACH YR FOR THE LAST DECADE. WE HAD THE HEISMAN AND NATIONAL TITLE WINNER IN THE SAME YEAR. BEOFRE YOU SAY USC WE I IT WAS DIFERENT TEAMS. LOOK AT THE LAST 10YRS AND TELL ME THE TEAMS WHO WON IT AND WAT CONFERENCE. SO NO WE DONT ARGUE OSU OR HAWAII HAWAII LORD HELP US WIN WE DARE PUT A (HIGHLY) POWERED OFFENSE #1 LAST YR AGAINST A TEAM WHO CAME IN ALMOST 4TH IN THE SEC GA BULLDOGS. MAY I REMIND U THE SCORE NAAAA ITS BRUTAL. SEC OVERATTED WIN ALL WE DO IS WIN 5 IN THE LAST 10 YRS TITLES ITHANK U MEANT SUMTHIN ELSE MAYBE THAT WAS A TYPO
Edit Comment Cancel
Doug Kraus 9 months ago
Another great article Lisa. Comparing teams against OSU's ranking is spot on since they are the only team ranked highly that has a loss (and a horrendous one that was). I think the bottom line is until about week 5 you have a lot of "hangover from last year" influence in the rankings. Clearly some non-SEC teams are playing better ball than some of the more highly ranked SEC teams. The SEC teams get the early nod based on both last year's performances and the hype surrounding the conference. At this point I'd say overall the Big 12 looks like the top conference.
The fact that the SEC fans will argue the cupcake factor proves just how out of touch they can be. Look at the 6 BCS conferences and who they play out of conference in the first 3-4 weeks and the SEC arguably plays the weakest teams overall. Yes, easier teams collectively than the Big Ten play. The PAC-10 seems to be the only conference that steps it up in the early non-conference match ups.
The bottom line is that in a couple of weeks this will all shake out. I can't wait to see how it shakes out.
Edit Comment Cancel
Franklin Crittenden 9 months ago
Lisa , tell me you are not another SEC basher ? What is with you people and SEC football ? If any other conference managed placing 5 teams in the top 10 all we would hear from you so called "experts" would be , wow that conference sure is good !
It seems lately that all you so called "experts" spend all your energy trying to disprove the SEC superiority in college football ?
It's the same so called "experts" that predicted... Oklahoma over LSU ,Ohio St over Florida, Ohio St over LSU , Clemson over Alabama , and so on,and so on .
Give us a break !
Is it because we have been so good, for so long ?
What is the beef?
Edit Comment Cancel
Lisa Horne 9 months ago
Franklin...SEC basher? I'm bashing the pollsters for not giving some other teams higher rankings.
But when you make comments like the "SEC's superiority over football", I have to laugh. Missy State? Ole Miss? Kentucky? Vandy? Yep, they are *cough* superior. Now why would anyone bash the SEC fans?
Edit Comment Cancel
Kenneth Julian III 9 months ago
You know I dont think, well at least I dont try to disprove the SEC superiority. I just would like people to pay attention to other teas as well. I mean think about a team like BYU who beat Tennessee, Northern Iowa and Washington. And compare that to Auburn who beat Miss St, Southern Miss, and UL-Monroe. honestly they are about the same. But people, not saying you Franklin, tend to give Auburn the credit because they play in a tougher conference, when looking at what has happened so far in this season (which is the only way this should be looked at) they are dead even. So why not put BYU in the top ten? Its just something to look at. I don't want people, mainly the media, to lose track of the fact that a team outside of a BCS conference can be good.
For the record Ohio State was better than Florida that year, that Gator team had trouble with an average FSU team. Also I do not think there were too many people on earth outside of Columbus, OH who thought the Buckeyes were going to win last year.
Look the SEC gets the benefit of the doubt this year... why? Maybe because of history (and I do not know what that has to do with this year). If that was the case then we need to make sure to look out for Minnesota because were a giant in the 40's.
Look there are some really good teams in the SEC, but there are also a lot of questions, and some teams ranked under them with the same records have less questions. That is where I am wondering how SOME of the SEC teams got into the top ten. It just kind of looks like they are handing it away.
Edit Comment Cancel
Gil HHH 9 months ago
You article is very amusing. USC would dominate the SEC (ala UF during the Spurrier era) but SEC fans will never admit it. I remember an article that Roll Tide wrote a couple days ago critizing USC and it turned out that USC beat the teams in the past in turn beat Alabama during the same year.
Non-SEC fans will always challenge the SEC superiority b/c of the weak non-conference schedule that they play. The PAC 10 gets a bad rap b/c they are the ones willing to schedule tough non-conference games and sometimes the outcome is not always positive (see this weekend results).
I don't recall SEC fans ridiculing the PAC 10 until USC became the dominant program and maybe it's because they are undefeated against the SEC during the Pete Carroll era. I guess they are jealous that USC is college football's darling.
Edit Comment Cancel
Franklin Crittenden 9 months ago
See below !
Edit Comment Cancel
Roy LaFaver 9 months ago
Gil, USC had trouble getting up for Stanford last year. The SEC is not all about one team in one game. It's about the fact the games are probably the most violent in the country week in and week out, and a Florida or LSU has to do that 8 times. Even teams that lose out of conference are different when they meet another SEC team. I think that is the primary reason the SEC has never lost a BCS game. How good are they at the end of the season, not the beginning or the middle. After going through the SEC schedule and a championship game (USC wouldn't know about that) they are keyed up to a high level and expect to hit hard and continuously. The other eleven will generally hold their own in bowls, but the champion is a proven team of battle scarred warriors, and it shows when it counts. I for one think USC would be a good SEC team, but I promise you they could not count on the championship every year as they do now.
Edit Comment Cancel
Gil HHH 9 months ago
Roy, each PAC 10 team plays one another and the SEC in lieu of playing an extra SEC team decided to schedule a cupcake for the extra game. I must admit that the SEC has been pretty successful in BCS bowls (don't forget Georgia's lost against WVU) but at the same time so has USC and they only have one BCS defeat (against Texas). Last time I checked, didn't the SEC have some bad loses last year (ULM) even though not as big as the Stanford upset. I was probably the only USC fan that felt that USC lost its chance to play in the BCS title game with that lost regardless if they won all of their other games and that was a setiment agreed by most SEC fans. There was no excuse for the Stanford game.
As a college fan I would love to see SEC teams schedule a home and away series with other BCS teams b/c it would add excitement to the football season for example LSU against Mizzou or USC against UF. For the most part we don't know how strong the conference is until bowl season because the SEC doesn't have a strong body of work outside of the SEC.
Edit Comment Cancel
Roy LaFaver 9 months ago
I have to agree with a lot of what you say there, Gil. But take LSU as an example. Last year they had to deal with a lot of injuries. The Auburn game took out Dorsey, and Flynn got pounded pretty good. Highsmith had problems and others did as well. This year they have to face Auburn, Georgia, Florida and Alabama, among some other tough defensive teams. Do they really need to put these players through more?
Honestly, USC really needs tough out of conference games because they won't get a lot better playing weak conference teams. If they had to play LSU's conference schedule, do you think they would be so hot to schedule tough OOC games? Consider this. The SEC has five coaches wearing championship rings,and they didn't get them in cracker jacks. LSU will face two of them, and both have a lot of talent, Saban with defense and Meyer with offense. These won't be easy games, but Tuberville might be even tougher. Then of course, there's Georgia. LSU reserves absolutely must have playing time and be ready. I was upset with LSU having VT on the schedule last year because they did not need the burden of facing a top ten team in an early game. It turned out to be easy enough, but what if they had lost players in that game? Give me North Texas any time. The Tigers need a chance to sort out quarterbacks and get linebackers up to speed. They need those "pre-season" games. And those small teams need the money, don't forget that. It's a big payday for them and helps keep their programs healthy.
Edit Comment Cancel
Roy LaFaver 9 months ago
Oops. Forgot they get Spurrier this year as well. Make that three championship coaches on the docket.
Edit Comment Cancel
Kenneth Julian III 9 months ago
See Roy, that is an inherent problem with how the system is now. Why does LSU have to face eight hard games, whereas USC is playing a bunch of FCS opponents? I never understood that line of thinking? USC has to play teams that field NFL talent just like LSU. Yea sure LSU might have some tougher teams as a whole, but again it is not like the Pac-10 is full of Sun Belt caliber teams.
That is why I think people need to really lay off just how good a conference is and figure out how good a team is. Sometimes I feel like people who are against USC want to make up these reasons as to why they can possibly be this good. They have a boatload of talent, they blow teams out, they are good.
One question I have for SEC fans is this whole notion about one team not being able to dominate. The first three SEC Championships were against UF and Alabama. And when Georgia went to the Championship in 2002 that was the first time a team outside Tennessee or Florida has represented the East.
Its college football, it is cyclical. One say USC will be back down, and who knows maybe Missouri will be a power. I mean this is the problem with most people following college football is that everyone feels that the teams who have been good for 40 years have to keep being good, even though the rules have changed from 40 years ago.
Edit Comment Cancel
Chad Dinger 9 months ago
I'm not that hot on Penn St. They have played well, but against no one. I'd say it's a coin toss on them being ranked ahead of the Buckeyes.
Oregon on the other hand does deserve to be ahead of the Bucks, they have looked better in each game and have over come their injuries.
ECU? Well they should really be in the top 10. They have beaten better teams more soundly than anyone else.
Edit Comment Cancel
Lisa Horne 9 months ago
Amen Chad.
Edit Comment Cancel
Ben White 9 months ago
Your tone has certainly changed from "Auburn offense is clicking on all cylinders against La. Monroe. Nothing to worry about here." to "Like OMG! no way Auburn can stay on the same field as LSU. Did you see Auburn barely beat MSU 3-2. Was that like a baseball game or something?"
Let us hope you are wrong.
"Auburn fans are alarmed, they admit it on their team's message boards."
And when did reading the crazies that post on message boards become a good way to measure how the fanbase feels about a team?
Edit Comment Cancel
Lisa Horne 9 months ago
Well, believe it or not, message boards are a good way to gauge "the feel" of a general fan base. Not completely accurate, but their concerns were all the same. Offense, and the lack of it.
Edit Comment Cancel
Ben White 9 months ago
I choose not.
Edit Comment Cancel
Roy LaFaver 9 months ago
I don't have a problem with Ohio State's ranking. I consider teams on talent and expectations this early in the season, and Ohio State has top quality players. Against most of their opponents, they will win in spite of game preparation or even if they play poorly. Talent can do that, and they have it. This all assumes their confidence has not been erased for all eternity. I'm sure Tressel is at least smart enough to point out what they did well in their loss, and they did some things well early in the game. I think they will be okay, and I think they could handle some of the teams ranked ahead of them. I will point out Missouri as an example. Missouri last year did not do well against big talented defensive and offensive lines (namely OU), and I expect that will be true this year as well. So I think one could argue OSU deserves to be ranked ahead of them if considering a head-to-head match. I, for one, would bet on them.
Edit Comment Cancel
lsuornuthin shaw 9 months ago
OHIO STAE IS A TESTAMENT OF THE REST OF THE CONF. IN AMERICA CREAM PUFFS AND ALL HYPE THERE NO DIFFERENT THEN OU THERE ARE WEAK I DONT CARE IF THEY BROUGH MR HAWK AND TROY BACK THEY WOULD NOT BEAT USC MATTER FACT PUT EDDIE GEORGE ON THE TEAM AND USC BEATS EM BY 10. AND THIS IS COMING FROM A MAN WHO CANT STAND THE USC AND THE 9DWARFS PAC 10 I THANK THERE A JOKE AND THEY NEED TO SPLIT EM UP TAKE OUT STANFORD OR CAL AND PUT IN FRESNO STATE. THE ONLY OTHER TEAM I RESPECT IN THE WESTCOAST FOR COLLEGE FOOTBALL.
Edit Comment Cancel
Franklin Crittenden 9 months ago
Gil , try not to break your arm patting yourself on the back . USC beating, what at the time were lower tier teams in the SEC is no great feat . No more than it will be for Georgia win the game at Arizona this weekend . That impressive record you PAC-10 people keep pointing at was built against teams like Miss St , Arkansas ,and Auburn . If you want to check those teams records for those particular years most of the time they finished with 6 to 8 win seasons . Big Deal !
USC has never squared off with that years best SEC team . When that happens I will buy the fact that USC is the best . Until then it's just talk !
USC is a great team . Over the past 20 years I have seen as good ,and better in person . Those teams were in the SEC !
Edit Comment Cancel
Lisa Horne 9 months ago
Franklin....what is the deal here? You bask in all the glory of the SEC (Alabama has been irrelevant for over 10 years, so I kind of understand why you are hiding behind four teams in the SEC...it's typical) and rip someone else for bragging on their team. You're a pretty funny dude.
Edit Comment Cancel
Gil HHH 9 months ago
Franklin, I guess that SEC fans are starting to rip their own league? So when USC beat Arkansas and in turn Arkansas won the SEC west am I to assume the teams in the SEC West are weak? You can't have it both ways. I could say that the SEC won most of its games against the PAC 10 at home b/c they are unwilling to travel.
Could the reason that USC hasn't played the SEC best is because they are afraid to schedule a home and away series? SEC teams only want to play teams within or neighboring state but have a problem going west of the Mississippi for a non-conference game. I would like any SEC fan to tell me that last ranked non-conference road game won (not bowl game) by an SEC team and that answer will tell you a lot about the SEC's non-conference philosophy.
Edit Comment Cancel
J.C. Ayvazi 9 months ago
Franklin-
You should know teams schedule games 2-4 years in advance. Do you have a crystal ball which will show exactly which team will be at the top of their league multiple years into the future? I didn't think so.
Pete Carroll has said more than once he would love to play LSU. All that was heard from Baton Rouge in response was crickets.
Edit Comment Cancel
Corey Gautreaux 9 months ago
J.C. don't try that argument. USC and LSU talked about a series but nothing ever came of it. If LSU went running when USC asked to play them, why was this never brought out in the open. You think ESPN would pass up a chance to talk about LSU refusing to play USC? Give me a break!
Edit Comment Cancel
Robert 9 months ago
SEC Kool-Aid? I'm surprised you didn't use "Gatorade" instead...
I sure hope Tennessee wins this weekend.
Florida < Tennessee < UCLA < BYU
That would be a VERY interesting property, huh?
Edit Comment Cancel
Nick The Only 9 months ago
Georgia lost to Tennessee last year, so that transitive property already holds true for Georgia.
Georgia lost 35-14 to Tennessee. Tennessee lost to UCLA 27-24. UCLA lost to BYU 59-0.
That means BYU is 83 points better than Georgia. If BYU and Georgia met on a neutral field, BYU would win by 83 points. So says the transitive property.
Edit Comment Cancel
Lisa Horne 9 months ago
Ha! That's pretty funny Robert.
Edit Comment Cancel
Kenneth Julian III 9 months ago
Transitive properties only work for the same year.. therefore we have to wait until 2008 UGA plays 2008 Tennessee... So as of now we do not know how much better BYU is than UGA.... and trust me I looked.
Edit Comment Cancel
Robert 9 months ago
Here's my transitive property from last year, Kenneth:
LSU < Kentucky < Georgia < Tennessee < Alabama < LSU < Arkansas < Auburn < Georgia < South Carolina < Vanderbilt < Alabama < Mississippi State < Tennessee < Florida < Georgia = SEC football
LSU lost to Kenucky who got beat by Georgia who got beat by Tennessee and so on...
I started with the National Champions, just for fun.
It works out though...
Try one of your own, it's SEC-tastic!
Edit Comment Cancel
Kenneth Julian III 9 months ago
LOL, I do the transitive thing all the time, just for fun. LOL. that is funny.
Edit Comment Cancel
Mark Rupert 9 months ago
Lisa.
You Made some good points But I think they must have doubled up on the kool aid last week.
You would have to be on something to move Oklahoma above Ga, they haven't beat anybody in years and Ga done what they were supposed to do. The point spread was 7.
USC got mucho points for beating a Virginia team that lost to Connecticut by 35 and beating OS when they were without a Heisman worthy Running back and USC had two weeks to get ready, were at home. Fla, Ga, and LSU would have beat a depleated OS by more than 30 this year with two weeks to get ready.
The SEC deserves the rankings and the respect, last year LSU lost to Kentucky and Arkansas. they went and showed just how good the SEC is by destroying OS.
In 07 Fla lost to Tennessee and showed just how good the SEC is by destroying the #1 ranked team.
In the BCS area no SEC team has lost a MNCG when given a ticket to the dance. NO other Conference can say that.
The only reason the SEC dosen't have three to five teams in the top 25 in every poll from the first through the last one, we don't have a Eight game playoff.
Edit Comment Cancel
Lisa Horne 9 months ago
Mark...the only problem is that too many people think the point spread is a handicap. It's not. It's a number designed to generate bets. If UGA is only seven points better than SC, then GA won't beat the Sun Devils. See my point?
Edit Comment Cancel
Chris 9 months ago
I think you mean Florida in '06, and they lost to Auburn (who, based on this article and subsequent comments, is not much better than Maine or Grambling), not Tennessee.
Edit Comment Cancel
Michael Devivero 9 months ago
Uh, correction: Oklahoma has beaten a lot of teams. They've been doing that since Stoops arrived. I can tell you off the top of my head that they beat Missouri twice last year, and that was a damn good team. They lost some respect after the West Virginia game, but that West Virginia team could have easily won the national title. Much like USC seems to do, West Virginia had that one terrible game (Pittsburgh) that ruined a great season. Oklahoma has played poorly in the BCS bowls, but they're still better than the teams that aren't in the BCS bowls year after year.
Edit Comment Cancel
Kenneth Julian III 9 months ago
Ok Chris '06 Auburn is a completly different team from "08 Auburn. they have nothing in common except both teams play football. So you can't really compare them. And to be honest when someone questions whether or not a team should be in the top ten does not mean they are a total waste of talent and helmets. Who knows maybe they are the 12th best team, just not top ten.... yet...
Edit Comment Cancel
Justin Goar 9 months ago
i don't think we can just jump teams around based on who they play this week. i understand that happened with USC who jumped to #1 a bit early after beating UVA who got absolutely thumped by UCONN this past weekend....in football btw. these are the same pollsters that did that. and seemingly no one but me had a problem with it. like the rest of the country thought "well yeah you beat UVA and you should play for the NC"
alabama is a little too high for my tastes but the rest of the top ten i have no problem with. LSU or AU will be out of the top ten after this weekend so teams will beat each other up and the good teams will be left standing in a few weeks.
i would have no problem putting the 'dores in the top 25 if they keep winning. they have one of the hardest schedules in the country. i think most of america forgot about conference schedules and worry way too much about ooc schedules. just to use our two teams as an example:
i did an internet search and just picked the top three SOS sites i could find. the only one i've heard of before was phil steele who had LSU #19 and USC #21.
other sites had
LSU# 11 USC # 12
and lastly LSU # 54 and USC # 63.
last time i checked LSU played a 12 game schedule not just the 4 game non conference one. (i know this really doesn't have much to do with this article, but i'm venting)
but just about every ooc schedule list has LSU near the bottom and rightfully so.
can't we live in a college football world where playing troy, UNT, and tulane is cancelled out by taking on top 10 AU top 10 UF on the road and top 10 UGA and top 10 bama at home???
i like your theory on LSU being #1 b/c they're the defending nat'l champs though .
either way a good read that will no doubt get SEC fans up in arms.
Edit Comment Cancel
Lisa Horne 9 months ago
Well, the problem is that you play those teams every year, for the most part, and until 2000, they weren't as competitive as they are now. Furthermore, you can't gauge how good a team is until they play someone else, otherwise, The Sun Belt Champ would be #1.
Yeah, I could see LSU #!. You will smoke Auburn.
Edit Comment Cancel
J. Michael Morris 9 months ago
I feel "punch" drunk.
Edit Comment Cancel
J.C. Ayvazi 9 months ago
Hopefully you don't also have a sugar rush from too many cupcakes.
Edit Comment Cancel
Ryan Staab 9 months ago
How dare you question the SEC's superiority over all other conferences. For that you should be banished to support the PAC-10.
Oh, wait... ;)
For what its worth, until Ohio State gets a quality win (*cough*October 4th at Wisky*cough*) I wouldn't put them anywhere near the top 25. As of right now, Penn State and Wisky are the best the Big Ten has to offer.
Edit Comment Cancel
Jeff Allen 9 months ago
I can't get on board with this. I don't give a shit how bad OSU looked against Florida, USC, or LSU. They have undeniably OWNED the Big Ten the past few years - including Penn State and Wisconsin. This year's OSU team is almost an exact replica of the team that drilled Penn State and Wisconsin last season. UNTIL Penn State and Wisconsin beat Ohio State, Ohio State is the best the Big Ten has to offer.
Edit Comment Cancel
Chris Schmidbauer 9 months ago
When has polling ever been accurate? Plus I challenege you to write a positive Ohio State article. I think you've got the negative ones down pat. Why do you enjoy slamming Ohio State?
Edit Comment Cancel
Lisa Horne 9 months ago
Huh? Slam OSU? Where did I do that?
Edit Comment Cancel
Mark Rupert 9 months ago
Lisa. Meyer had the point spread in mind to. We need three to cover the spread!
It's a moot point now but will they still be on the koolaid when it counts, Will they still think USC over Va and OS. were as impressive then, I don't now.
Oklahoma needs to prove something before they start jumping highly ranked SEC teams, KOOLAID indeed.
Edit Comment Cancel
Ron Johnson 9 months ago
Georgia still in the top ranks? That's the dumbest move ever!
Edit Comment Cancel
Mark Rupert 9 months ago
Don't look dumb at all. Not after the way the Dawgs beat down the Gators and how they finished the season. It's not to impressive getting handled by Michigan while Ga is Dominating in the Sugar Bowl.
Understand now?
Edit Comment Cancel
Robert 9 months ago
Lisa, here's an SEC transitive property for ya!
LSU < Kentucky < Georgia < Tennessee < Alabama < LSU < Arkansas < Auburn < Georgia < South Carolina < Vanderbilt < Alabama < Mississippi State < Tennessee < Florida < Georgia = SEC football
Try to figure that one out...
Edit Comment Cancel
Chris 9 months ago
"LSU is at No. 6 and should get the benefit of the doubt because dang it, they are the defending champs and should be No. 1 until they are beaten. The Tigers have the best claim as to why they should be No. 1 this early in the season and before conference play."
To me, this statement kills the rest of your article. So you're saying that LSU should be #1 because they finished the season #1? That's the biggest reason why the rest of those teams are in the top 10. The way they finished combined with who they lost and who they returned is how they come up with preseason rankings. If you're going to make that case for LSU, you should make it for every other school as well.
As for Auburn, your statements make it sound like we were unranked before we beat Ms. State and that win propelled us into the 10 slot. We actually effectively dropped 2 spots from the preseason rankings. West Virginia and Ohio State dropped behind us after losing, yet we were jumped by Texas, Wisconsin, and Alabama. That being said, I'd have to put us in the high teens right now. Our offense is definitely struggling, but our defense may be the best in the country.
I do agree with the main premise of your article though, which is that it's silly to have 5 SEC teams in the Top 10. However, it won't last long, especially after the next few weekends.
It's kind of like the BCS when it first comes out. It looks crazy the first few weekends because there's "not enough data" yet. Same thing here.
For the record, LSU won't be killing anyone this weekend. Mark it down. If they do, I'll leave a note on your profile page admitting you were right. The score will probably be like 10-7 or 7-3 one way or the other.
Agree or disagree, your articles always get me thinking. Thanks.
Edit Comment Cancel
Lisa Horne 9 months ago
LSU should be #1 because they were #1 in January and until 3 weeks ago, played nobody...it should be automatic #1. Defending champs #1, no one else ranked until 6 weeks.
Edit Comment Cancel
Jeff Allen 9 months ago
Roster turnover be damned! Seniors replaced with unproven players? Who cares! Bah! Experience Shmexperience! Number one!
Edit Comment Cancel
Tom Blackwell 9 months ago
You talk about how Georgia shouldnt be ranked for the team they had LAST year then you contradict yourself and say LSU should be number 1 because they won the BCS title LAST year.
Edit Comment Cancel
Robert 9 months ago
Amen, Tom.
She's using the "professional wrestling" theory. To be the man, you got to beat the man!
USC gets all the love for beating one good team and one horrible team.
Edit Comment Cancel
Lisa Horne 9 months ago
Tom...I hold the belief that number 1 is number 1 til unbeaten...the rest can fight amongst themselves. Why is that so hard to understand? When you win the title, you get automatic respect until beaten.
Edit Comment Cancel
john brewer 9 months ago
the pollsters are just trying to level the playing field because they understand what kind of bias USCN, oops i mean ESPN, has for the condoms oops i mean trojans.
the love fest was over the top ridiculous this past weekend. nobody can disagree with that.
Edit Comment Cancel
Isaac Luber 9 months ago
Taking shots at Ohio State and the SEC...I love it! Penn State should definitely be in the Top 10. You were excellent in putting comments on how all these good teams were ranked behind the SEC and Ohio State. Not only did Ohio State get blown out by USC, who to their credit is a great team, but they also should've lost to Ohio U. Unfortunately, the Bobcats gave the game to Ohio State by committing 5 turnovers, or else they definitely would've won. Great article. It really exposes both Ohio State and the SEC for what they really are...overrated!!!
Edit Comment Cancel
Lisa Horne 9 months ago
Thanks Isaac. The good news for SEC haters is that at least one team will drop. The bad news is that Vandy is still undefeated. (But i gotta tell ya, I root for Vandy...bless those smart kids and Cutler rocked!)
Edit Comment Cancel
Michael Devivero 9 months ago
I love the argument that the SEC is overrated. The SEC is the best conference in college football. No. 1. You can't be overrated if you really are No. 1. If you can prove that another conference is No. 1, then you're right. But I can guarantee that there will be a tremendous amount of statistics supporting the SEC.
Edit Comment Cancel
lsuornuthin shaw 9 months ago
WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!! TOP TEN FOR WAT THERE NOT EVEN BETTE THAN ILL. I CANT EVEN BELIEVE WERE TALKN ABOUT PENN STATE THERE LIKE THERE COACH "DONE" THERE HAVEN A GOOD YR THIS WELL WHAT DO U EXPECT WHEN U SLIDE DOWN MOST LIKELY U GONNA HAVE TO COME UP SOME TIME BUT WIN A TITLE AGAIN IN THE NEXT 10YRS AND MAYBE TOP TEN BEATING A WOBBLY PAC 10 TEAM IS NOT IMPRESSIVE AT ALL. YALL NOT EVEN THE BEST TEAM IN THE STATE. ALL TAKE PITT OVER YALL. AND IM GONNA TELL U LIKE I TOLD FUNNY BOY UP TOP SEC OVERRATED IS LIKE 2 NEGATIVE BATTS. THEY DONT WORK TOGEAGTHER. WE WIN TITLES WE DONT GET TO THE GAME AND CHOKE. BEAT MICH. OR O STATE OR ILL THEN TALK. BUT EVEN THEN REAL CONF. HAVE CHAMP. GAMES
Edit Comment Cancel
Isaac Luber 9 months ago
We're going undefeated, first of all. Illinois will be a joke this weekend, we're gonna kill them. Pitt better than us? Maybe you might wanna research things before you say them. Pitt is just awful. The whole Big East is pathetic, and they're at the bottom of that conference! We are going to the Championship this year...and even if we don't, we've got the Big 10 Title and a BCS game. Please don't get ridiculous, PSU is a very talented team on both sides of the ball and would crush Pitt. Pitt barely beat Iowa, who is like 7th in the Big 10.
Edit Comment Cancel
Iceman 9 months ago
i cant see how Auburn can be in the top ten when they almost got shut out by mississipi State, sad. i think Penn state should be #10, and Oregon at 11 or 12. the only sec teams thar belong in the top ten are Florida and Lsu. the sec was better last year.
Edit Comment Cancel
Lisa Horne 9 months ago
my issue is really with Auburn....cheer up, they play LSU in 3 days!
Edit Comment Cancel
Rob Sansing 9 months ago
Lisa: I've said it before, but it may never have been more true than with this article: you sure can stir the pot!!
Based on the past few years, the teams from the SEC have earned the right to the top 10 rankings, it's not kool-aid. Remember , the past two national champions are SEC teams.
And I think you are way wrong about LSU "smoking" Auburn. This is the kind of game Tuberville lives for. Here's a little history for you: last year Auburn lost to M-State and turned around the next week and beat the #4 team in the nation (your beloved gators!!). Looks to me like Auburn is better off this year: they BEAT M-State. The great thing about college football is they still have to play the game!! You thinking LSU is gonna wax Auburn doesn't affect the outcome one bit!!!
Edit Comment Cancel
Lisa Horne 9 months ago
Missy lost to Tech....I;m not drinking out of the same cup as you. :)
Edit Comment Cancel
Rob Sansing 9 months ago
I used my cup of Auburn kool-aid to wash down a bitter bitter pill Saturday night.
That's 2 years in a row Auburn had LSU beat and botched a kick to give LSU great field position to pull out a win. I really thought Auburn had 'em...twice...at 14-3 at the half and after the defensive stop at 21-20.
It's only a game...it's only a game...it's only a game...
Edit Comment Cancel
SEC Idiots .com 9 months ago
Good points, Lisa, but none of this is new for pollsters. Teams are never punished for weak schedules, and are rarely rewarded for tough schedules. Pollsters only see a win or a loss, and don't factor in the competition. Kansas probably wouldn't have been the Orange Bowl champs if they played USF last year. They were rewarded for their weak schedule. A playoff would fix this, or at least make it irrelevant, but I'm not sure what else would.
Edit Comment Cancel
Edmon 9 months ago
SEC Idiots, actually they do. At the end of the last two seasons, Florida and LSU jumped several spots for playing tough schedules that included loads of Top 25 competition and bowl eligible teams.
Edit Comment Cancel
Justin Carter 9 months ago
Can we please stop the believing that a playoff system would be the end all solution. Pollsters would affect the seedings in a playoff system. There is no flawless solution.
Edit Comment Cancel
Thomas Brown 9 months ago
omg lisa i just had an orgasm
Edit Comment Cancel
Michael Cline 9 months ago
I didn't read all NINETY-FOUR of the comments, so this might have been said already: 2 things need to change immediately about college football.
1. This ridiculous idea of ranking teams before anyone plays a game.
2. A playoff system.
Is it really too much to ask?
Edit Comment Cancel
Lisa Horne 9 months ago
uh,,,it's Ok, it was kinda the point of the whole article. :) It can never be repeated enough, my friend,
Edit Comment Cancel
Scott Pusich 9 months ago
A playoff system.
A playoff system.
A playoff system.
and pre-season polls are ridiculous. ;-)
Edit Comment Cancel
Ryan J. 9 months ago
Impressive Lisa, very impressive. I come here expecting to see a dose of humility (a much needed one, mind you) for the good ol' boys of the SEC, and instead you found a way to turn it into an OSU-bashfest. That takes a special kind of talent and hatred. Tip of the hat, my friend.
Oh, and to address your actual article, luckily for all of us, Ohio State plays both Penn State and Purdue. Purdue is important in mentioning because it is a middle of the road program in the Big Ten (remember the conference that everyone loves to bash?) and they gave the Ducks all they could handle last Saturday. If Ohio State doesn't win both of those games convincingly, I'll eat my hat.
What you seem to have missed is that pollsters have a certain level of discretion in creating these rankings. Apparently that's a good thing, because otherwise Ohio State would have blown the doors off of Hawaii in last years national title game and there would be even MORE whining by some folks.
Edit Comment Cancel
Lisa Horne 9 months ago
Please point out where I bashed the Bucks? They are 2-1 and ranked ahead of undefeated BCS teams. That's not bashing. That's logic. I bashed the pollsters.
Edit Comment Cancel
Stephen Baugh 9 months ago
Well lets just bash Auburn hay. Lisa if I was you I wouldn't like auburn either. We've beat your coach (Urban Meyer) the last 2 years so you and all the Alabama fans have a reason to hate us cause we beat up on you every year.
Edit Comment Cancel
Lisa Horne 9 months ago
Stephen....when you find Auburn's offense, ring a bell. I'll be listening. La Tech scored a bunch of points on Missy State. Did you?
Edit Comment Cancel
Ryan J. 9 months ago
Impressive Lisa, very impressive. I come here expecting to see a dose of humility (a much needed one, mind you) for the good ol' boys of the SEC, and instead you found a way to turn it into an OSU-bashfest. That takes a special kind of talent and hatred. Tip of the hat, my friend.
Oh, and to address your actual article, luckily for all of us, Ohio State plays both Penn State and Purdue. Purdue is important in mentioning because it is a middle of the road program in the Big Ten (remember the conference that everyone loves to bash?) and they gave the Ducks all they could handle last Saturday. If Ohio State doesn't win both of those games convincingly, I'll eat my hat.
What you seem to have missed is that pollsters have a certain level of discretion in creating these rankings. Apparently that's a good thing, because otherwise Ohio State would have blown the doors off of Hawaii in last years national title game and there would be even MORE whining by some folks.
Edit Comment Cancel
John Scott 9 months ago
"Good points Mitch. I think Georgia is on the cusp. To me, Mizzou, USC, Oklahoma, LSU and PSU all have valid claims to No.1. The rest, I'm not sold on."
I don't understand why Penn State would have a more valid claim to #1 then Georgia, Florida, or even Wisconsin and South Florida.
Wisconsin did beat Fresno State on the road.
And USF did beat Kansas.
And UGA beat a tough south carolina team on the road, who were ranked #24 before losing at Vanderbilt (who is #26 BTW)
And Florida has at least played Miami who is ok.
Who has Penn State played that makes you so convinced on them having a legit case at #?
I mean sure PSU has as good a case as Auburn or Texas Tech, but not the 4 teams listed above or even Alabama for that matter who at least dominated Clemson who is still favored to win the ACC.
And BTW if LSU had Ryan Perriloux, they WOULD be #1
Good article
Edit Comment Cancel
Lisa Horne 9 months ago
John...Gamecocks wouldn 't even be ranked in the top 30 if Spurrier wasn't there.
An FCS school scored over 20 points on NC State, and if Wilson hadn't gone out with a head injury, USC may not have won. They scored 28 of their points AFTER he left the game.
Rankings when you play a team mean nothing...wasn't South Florida #2 awhile? It doesn't matter...end of season matters. USC Gamecocks were #6 at some point last year, and that proved to be a farce.
If Perrilloux had been there, yeah, they might be. Still think they deserve more, but at least it's a legit ranking.
Edit Comment Cancel
Garren Schaffer 9 months ago
I would love to see how much these OSU bashers opinions change when, and if, Penn State is undefeated when the two teams meet. Say OSU beats up on the undefeated Lions, then where should they be ranked if the only game they lose is to USC? Let the season play itself out a little bit before we all get to upset over the rankings please...thanks
Edit Comment Cancel
Lisa Horne 9 months ago
What would happen? Joe Pa would retire. Not bashing OSU, just expected a little more from them. Like a touchdown.
Edit Comment Cancel
Garren Schaffer 9 months ago
Yea you and every OSU fan that was watching.
Edit Comment Cancel
Brett Field 9 months ago
This article is spot on. The SEC is by far the most overrated conference in college football. The pollsters give them so much benefit of the doubt its ridiculous. If any team from any other conference scored 3 points to a team that gave up 24 to La Tech they would be dropped from the rankings, yet Auburn is #10? If Oregon was in the SEC they would be top 5 (beating Purdue is better that beating the wrong USC). The SEC is not head and shoulders above the rest of the conferences, and has not been the top conference the last 3 years. The Pac-10 was better the last two years and the Big XII is better this year
Edit Comment Cancel
Michael Devivero 9 months ago
Arguably the best team in the ACC (Wake Forest) beat Ole Miss by 2 points. Where do you rank Ole Miss in the SEC? The Pac 10 is 0-3 against the Big 12 and 0-5 against the Mountain West. The Big East is 2-5 against the other BCS conferences. There isn't much to say about the Big Ten, except that Michigan is struggling and the Pac-10 is 3-1 against them. The SEC has a bad loss to Lousiana Tech, but the Big 12 has a bad loss to Arkansas State. If you look at inter-conference records, it is safe to assume the SEC and the Big 12 are the top 2 conferences. If you want to say the Big 12 is better, there could be some validity to that. But you can't argue that any other conference is better.
Edit Comment Cancel
Brett Field 9 months ago
I didn't argue that any conference is better than the SEC and the Big XII this year. I'm saying that the Pac-10 has been better the last two years (not this year, too many new qbs) and I think the Big XVII is better than the SEC by a nose this year
Edit Comment Cancel
Larry Sigurdson 9 months ago
Hi Lisa,
Great article and analysis. Over the years a number of coaches have told me that they didn't fill out their ballot, rather they handed it to another family member--daughter, wife, son, etc. If this is common practice, it might explain how at least one poll ends up looking the way it does. Don't know about the sports writers--from what I've heard them say, most of them take their poll very seriously. So that would suggest you must at least be in the stadium to explain how their poll ends up like it is right now.
This is not a new problem. It seems to happen every year. The good news is that by the end of October, performance clears away many of the early season biases. After a while, a team going 6-0, 7-0 and then 8-0 becomes hard to ignore. But then there are exceptions to that statement too.
I don't know what the answer is to arriving at a truly objective system, but I am convinced that some sort of playoff system will be part of the answer. Until then, good job of pointing out the obvious.
Edit Comment Cancel
Michael Devivero 9 months ago
Ohio State is ranked where they are because the coaches and media are going out on a limb and suggesting that they will beat up on the Big Ten like they always do. Michigan certainly won't stop them. I subscribe to the theory that you should rank teams based on how strong you think the team is. Not how strong are the teams they played. If you think Ohio State is going to win the Big Ten, then they should be ranked high. The goal of a voter should be to see their rankings have some relation to future results. Voting based simply on past results is unproductive. Everyone knows East Carolina is playing well, but who could beat them this weekend in a hypothetical match up? That is who should be ahead of them.
However, this article does expose how simplistic voters are. Basically, if you looked at records and somebody gave you an acceptable conference strength ranking list, you could come up with a top 25 much like the voters without ever having watched a college football game. (Can you say playoff?)
I'm a huge SEC fan, but it is impossible for all 5 of these teams to stay where they are because they play each other! This exposes another flaw of the voting. Watch Auburn drop really far after losing to a team that is voted better than them! Aren't they supposed to lose? I'm ok with where the SEC teams are, with the exception of Auburn. But the voters will jump ship when they lose, so they'll be where they belong anyway soon enough. No worries.
Edit Comment Cancel
Kenneth Julian III 9 months ago
This is a great read. One thing that college football as a culture has grown is this thought process of how anything that happened last year or 50 years ago has something to do with this year.
The perfect example is what you are talking about with the SEC. People say that the SEC is deeper than any other conference based on what? Last year? I mean this year the bottom teams do not look that good. Though granted Vandy looks decent.
In what other sport do you see last year's team having anything to do with this year's team? Imagine if that happened in the NFL. No one would ever think the Pats could be good. Frankly as an upstanding and intelligent member of society it numbs my brain.
These teams this year are completely different than last year's teams... every single one of them.
Oh yeah and as for the article I do agree. I mean how can Auburn stay in the top 10 after that game? I dont care if they beat USC in week one, you have to at least ask yourself what they were doing against a team that lost to Louisiana Tech, and then scored less points than Tech.
Now Alabama looks good, better than Penn State? I don't know about that. The thing with all this is people are looking at resumes and those are kind of hard seeing as where people tend to think of teams differently. But if people just looked at how each team played, or is playing then the polls would look a tad different.
I mean the only reason I have UF in my top 5 is because of the respect I have for that offense, the defense I am still waiting for to stop someone. Oh and by the way did someone really give the Hawai'i was a quality opponent? Um yeah they just lost to Oregon State by over 30 points, also probably will not get higher than 5th in the WAC. Not that quality.
LSU really to be honest probably should not be there until they prove they can beat a team when someone shuts down their running game. Not saying they are not good, just not 6th in the nation, there are more teams with less questions than the Tigers.
Hell right now Alabama and Ole Miss probably have the best resumes of anyone in that division. Are those teams better than LSU and Auburn right now? Maybe, maybe not it remains to be seen.
But seriously the coaches have got to show at least act like they are watching and give a damn. Two voters gave UGA a number one ranking this week, and I did not understand it. Look people every team in the SEC is not good. This includes Miss St, Kentucky, and Arkansas. So if one of the top teams loses to them, then it is not a great win... on the road or not.
And yes Oregon's win over Purdue on the road is better than Auburn's turnover-fest at Miss St.
I am done ranting, but again this is a great article. I just really wish the pollsters would stop watching ESPN so much, and really take a look at college football. The MWC went 6-1 last week with only SDSU losing. and for the season there are four teams who are 3-0 and two teams are 2-1 with those losses coming to Utah and Air Force. Yeah but there is hardly any love going around for TCU and Air Force.
By the way that offense at Auburn right now scored the second most points on UGA last year even with 5 turnovers. Troy lost 44-34. It will come around with the right guys.
Edit Comment Cancel
Scott Pusich 9 months ago
To add to the silliness of polls... it's just as superficial as taking a political poll more than four weeks before an election, or even before the party conventions... they're just not worth the trouble. Though I have to concede that they provoke discussion and thus fill air-time (or web-space) and so perhaps that's their main purpose. Filler. Ah, I think I stumbled across something... ;-)
To throw in a metaphor other than k**l-aid (I alway wince when I read it, because I was 11 when the event that the metaphor is based on occurred; I followed the news even that young, and it really frightened me):
Polls are like weather forecasts. The further away you are from the day that you're trying to predict, the more worthless the forecast (or poll) is. Pre-season polls are the equivalent of trying to predict the weather four months ahead of time.
That said, I suppose I'll continue to participate in B/R's poll. Perhaps if I throw in enough playoff references later on the word will get through to the conference big-wigs. "To dream the im-POSS-ible dream!"
Edit Comment Cancel
Edmon 9 months ago
Great analogy with polls and weather forecasts. I don't really care what polls say in Sept. Give me a top 2 spot in Dec and now I'm listening.
Edit Comment Cancel
Andy Sprague 9 months ago
Great article Lisa! The polls that count (not the ones that just sell magazines) shouldn't start 'til about week five when almost everyone has played at least four games.
Edit Comment Cancel
J.C. Ayvazi 9 months ago
So, Lisa, do you also like to go swimming with sharks after rolling around in calf's blood?
Ya'all can email her direct at: LisaHorne@TheAlamo.siege
Edit Comment Cancel