College Football AP Top 25: USC At #14, Gives BCS/NCAA The Figurative "Finger"

When the Associated Press removed itself from the BCS bowl equations in 2004, it sparked conversation as to the legitimacy of the BCS and its process for determining the number one college football team in the country.

Since then, the AP has continued to stand on its own as the "non partisan" voice in the ranking of college football teams.

That young tradition continued today when the poll included USC in it's early rankings at the #14 slot.

For the NCAA, whose suspect investigation of the Trojans resulted in severe sanctions including the loss of scholarships, four years of probation and a two year bowl ban, the inclusion of USC in the AP bowl must be a complete slap in the face.

Good for the AP.

While appeals of the NCAA's ruling by both USC and former Trojan running backs coach, Todd McNair, remain to be heard, the fact that there are legitimate questions regarding the handling of the case are now magnified by the inclusion of USC in the AP poll.

Again, good for the AP.

For some, preseason, indeed, even early polls, are a waste of time because college football teams haven't revealed their prowess in relation to other teams this early in the season.

And there is merit to that argument.

But this isn't about whether early polls are legitimate.

Its not even about whether or not USC is receiving the respect it deserves, and for many Trojan fans, this will be their contention.

Instead, it is about a well respected poll, whose frustration with the sanctioning body, the NCAA, and by extension, the BCS, led to a break early in this decade because they felt leaving the NCAA equation was preferable to being associated with its suspect rules and by-laws.

In announcing its removal from the BCS equation, the AP also signaled, loud and clear, that its integrity was worth more than the contract it had with the BCS.

Today, with the release of its first poll which included the Trojans, the AP bolstered that contention and at the same time, let the NCAA know that it intended to follow its own criteria for the AP poll.

In doing so, the AP has given the NCAA the virtual "finger."

And for this, the AP should be applauded.

Are the Trojans, ranked #14 in the initial AP poll, being disrespected?

Who cares.

What is important is that the Trojans are being included at all.

So Trojan fans, it would behoove you to forget about where the Trojans are in the AP poll and instead celebrate the fact that by being part of the AP poll, USC will continue to stick in the NCAA's craw.

Somewhere Todd McNair must be smiling right now.