College Football Rankings: Who Deserves Their Coaches Poll Rank?
As Week 1 of the college football season draws to a close, the first regular season coaches' poll arrives. A series of upsets, blowouts, and close finishes has spurred quite a bit of movement.
But who deserves their spot? Who's too high? Who's not high enough? Let's go through the 25 ranked teams and figure out who's been overrated, who's underrated, and who's ranking is just right. Remember this is based solely off of their performance last weekend, nothing more.
25. South Carolina
1 of 25
Why they should be here: The Gamecocks took it to Southern Miss Saturday night, drubbing the Eagles 41-13. Quarterback Stephen Garcia finally played to his potential, as the Gamecocks looked the part of a Top 25 team.
Why they shouldn't: While the win was impressive, Spurrier's boys weren't challenged by a Southern Miss team not projected to do much of anything.
Conclusion: While the Golden Eagles aren't an elite team, the Gamecocks blasted them appropriately for a Top 25 school. Verdict: Just Right.
24. BYU Cougars
2 of 25
Why they should be here: The Cougs knocked off Pac-10 darkhorse Washington in their season opener. BYU saw two different quarterbacks find success against the Huskies defense, while the run game looked solid as well.
Why they shouldn't: Washington wasn't ranked, and it was a 23-17 win at home. They have to beat someone away from Provo to make the top 25 this early.
Conclusion: Beating Washington was an impressive way to start the season. Decision: Just Right.
23. Arizona Wildcats
3 of 25
Why they should be here: Arizona kicked the tar out of Toledo 41-2 on the road on Friday night, led by junior quarterback Nick Foles. Foles threw for 325 yards and two touchdowns, as the Wildcats ran roughshod over the Rockets.
Why they shouldn't: Beating a team like Toledo isn't all that impressive, even on the road. Let's see them beat someone their own size like that.
Conclusion: Arizona sure looked like a Top 25 team Friday night. Decision: Just Right.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
22. West Virginia Mountaineers
4 of 25
Why they should be here: The Mountaineers pasted Coastal Carolina 31-0 on Saturday, and looked pretty sharp doing it.
Why they shouldn't: Coastal Carolina? Really? That's the best you can come up with?
Conclusion: An impressive win over a subpar opponent means maybe the Mountaineers are a bit higher than they should be. Decision: Overrated.
20 (Tie). Utah Utes
5 of 25
Why they should be here: The Utes upset No. 15 Pittsburgh on Thursday night, led by quarterback Jordan Wynn.
Why they shouldn't: Why doesn't a win over a Top 15 team equate to a Top 15 spot? For a team like Utah, this is too low.
Conclusion: This team is going places, and will surely finish the year in the Top 15. Decision: Underrated.
20 (Tie). Auburn Tigers
6 of 25
Why they should be here: The Tigers took Arkansas State behind the woodshed, beating them 52-26. New quarterback Cameron Newton looked excellent.
Why they shouldn't: Twenty-six points to Arkansas State? The Tigers defense could be in trouble.
Conclusion: A strong win, with offensive questions answered. Decision: Just right.
19. Georgia Bulldogs
7 of 25
Why they should be here: The Bulldogs looked pretty fantastic in their 55-7 season opening win over Louisiana Lafayette. Georgia dropped 55 on the Ragin' Cajuns, and their offense looked better than it did last year. The defense, which was suspect at times last year, looked excellent.
Why they shouldn't: Louisiana Lafayette isn't going to a BCS bowl anytime soon. Or any bowl, for that matter.
Conclusion: Mark Richt's team looked like the Georgia from two seasons ago, rather than last year's model. Decision: Underrated.
18. Florida State Seminoles
8 of 25
Why they should be here: The Seminoles looked GOOD in Jimbo Fisher's head coaching debut, eviscerating Samford 59-6. Christian Ponder threw 4 touchdowns, as FSU looked the part of a contender.
Why they shouldn't: Beating an FCS team doesn't make you fantastic. Show me something real.
Conclusion: Potentially good team. Shame they played such a crappy one. Decision: Overrated.
17. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
9 of 25
Why they should be here: The Ramblin' Wreck kept rolling in their season debut. Paul Johnson's patented option offense blew through South Carolina State 41-10.
Why they shouldn't: Throw the ball much? Two completed passes on the night. Good luck beating anyone with a run defense.
Conclusion: A good win, but this might be a bit high for them right now. Decision: Overrated.
16. LSU Tigers
10 of 25
Why they should be here: The Tigers got off to a strong start with a 30-24 win over the North Carolina Tar Heels at the Georgia Dome. Quarterback Jordan Jefferson looked pretty good, as did the run game.
Why they shouldn't: North Carolina almost beat them, despite losing several starters to suspension. Good teams don't let depleted teams hang around like the Tar Heels did.
Conclusion: Unsure about them yet. Could be a Top 10 team by season's end. Points for beating a ranked team in Week 1. Decision: Just right.
15. Arkansas Razorbacks
11 of 25
Why they should be here: The Hogs whupped up on Tennessee State, 44-3. Ryan Mallett looked like a Heisman contender, throwing for 301 yards and three touchdowns on the day.
Why they shouldn't: Call me when they beat somebody in FBS, much less a good team there.
Conclusion: Strong showing, terrible opponent. Decision: Just right.
14. Penn State Nittany Lions
12 of 25
Why they should be here: The Nittany Lions looked strong in Week 1 against the Penguins of Youngstown State, routing them 44-14. Freshman quarterback Robert Bolden threw for 239 yards and two touchdowns in his debut.
Why they shouldn't: Jim Tressel probably wasn't too pleased to learn that Penn State stole his traditional Week 1 cupcake. Plus, the running game looked suspect.
Conclusion: If they get a run game, they'll go higher. If they don't, they'll fall. Decision: Just Right.
13. Virginia Tech Hokies
13 of 25
Why they should be here: A preseason Top 10 team, the Hokies lost a "neutral site" game to Boise State 33-30. Tyrod Taylor looked good until the last couple drives.
Why they shouldn't: They lost in Week 1.
Conclusion: Sure, they lost, but Boise looks like a contender this year. Decision: Just right.
12. Miami Hurricanes
14 of 25
Why they should be here: Quarterback Jacory Harris and the 'Canes took care of business against the Rattlers of Florida A&M. Harris threw for 210 yards and three touchdowns, and Miami won 45-0.
Why they shouldn't: We still don't know if this team can compete with the big boys. We'll know a lot more next week.
Conclusion: Based on their performance this week, they deserve to be here. But next week will tell us much more about Miami's chances this year. Decision:Just right.
11. Wisconsin Badgers
15 of 25
Why they should be here: Tolzien and the Badgers looked sharp against a decent UNLV team, knocking off the Runnin' Rebels 41-21. The offense was balanced and the defense did what it needed to do to get the win.
Why they shouldn't: The defense. Giving up 21 points to UNLV is not going to cut it in the Big 10. Maybe it was a blip, but it's worth noting.
Conclusion: The Badgers looked good against a mid-level team in Week 1. Decision: Just Right.
10. Oklahoma Sooners
16 of 25
Why they should be here: The Sooners hung on for a 31-24 win over the Utah State Aggies in Week 1. Landry Jones threw for 217 yards and two touchdowns, while running back DeMarco Murray dominated, racking up 208 yards and a pair of scores.
Why they shouldn't: The Aggies, a team who won't sniff the Top 25 all year, hung with the Sooners for most of the game. Their defense could be a major issue.
Conclusion: Decent win over a decent team, but Oklahoma can't have another game like that. Decision: Overrated.
9. Iowa Hawkeyes
17 of 25
Why they should be here: The Hawkeyes blew out the Eastern Illinois Panthers 37-7 on Saturday. The offense looked good, the defense looked good, and Iowa looks ready to contend for a Big 10 title.
Why they shouldn't: Eastern Illinois? What is it with teams playing crappy opponents in Week 1?
Conclusion: The Hawkeyes showed no reason to move up or down in the poll. Decision: Just Right.
8. Oregon Ducks
18 of 25
Why they should be here: The Ducks brutalized the New Mexico Lobos 72-0, with multiple players reaching 100 yards passing and rushing in the game. Even without expelled quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, Oregon look like potential title contenders.
Why they shouldn't: Like so many teams on this poll, the Ducks were playing a vastly inferior opponent. We'll know more against Tennessee next week.
Conclusion: For sheer size of the margin of victory, the Ducks overcome any kind of deduction for playing a bad opponent. Decision: Just right.
7. Nebraska Cornhuskers
19 of 25
Why they should be here: The Huskers put on a clinic against Western Kentucky, racking up an impressive 49-10 win behind quarterback Taylor Martinez. The freshman ran for 127 yards and three scores in the win.
Why they shouldn't: The pass game. Nebraska once again proved they need a quarterback who can throw the ball, although it'll be difficult to stop their run game.
Conclusion: Strong win, but failed to answer any questions about the Huskers chances. Decision:Just right.
6. Florida Gators
20 of 25
Why they should be here: The Gators took out Miami of Ohio 34-12 in the Swamp on Saturday. The run game looked pretty good, while quarterback John Brantley didn't look awful.
Why they shouldn't: Florida let the Redhawks hang around until the third quarter, and Brantley struggled getting the ball from new center Mike Pouncey.
Conclusion: Miami's not a good team, and Florida let them hang around. Do that against anyone in the SEC and you'll pay the price. Decision: Overrated.
5. TCU Horned Frogs
21 of 25
Why they should be here: Quarterback Andy Dalton and the Horned Frogs knocked off previously ranked Oregon State 30-21 on Saturday, proving their legitimacy. Dalton threw a touchdown and ran for another two.
Why they shouldn't: Dalton looked a bit shaky against the Beavers defense. They barely eked out the win, and their defense wasn't quite as dominant as last year's.
Conclusion: Despite the near loss, TCU is still a Top 5 team. Decision: Just right.
4. Texas Longhorns
22 of 25
Why they should be here: The Longhorns beat Rice 34-17 on Saturday behind running back Tre' Newton, who scored three times in the game.
Why they shouldn't: They gave up 17 points to Rice, quarterback Garrett Gilbert failed to throw a touchdown pass, and the run game didn't look fully locked in, despite Newton's success.
Conclusion: This team might have some issues as the season progresses. Decision: Overrated.
3. Boise State Broncos
23 of 25
Why they should be here: The Broncos announced their arrival into the BCS title discussion with an impressive 33-30 win over the 10th-ranked Virginia Tech Hokies. Kellen Moore threw for 215 yards and three touchdowns, including the game winner. The Smurf Turfers sported a pair of 80+ yard rushers. How's that for balance?
Why they shouldn't: There is no conceivable reason not to have Boise State ranked at least this high.
Conclusion: An impressive win from the only team with enough guts to play another ranked team in Week 1. Boise State are title contenders through and through. Decision: Underrated.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
24 of 25
Why they should be here: Quarterback Terrelle Pryor finally started to fulfill his potential, throwing for 247 yards and three touchdowns against the Marshall Thundering Herd. The run game and defense looked solid as well, as the Buckeyes beat Marshall 45-7.
Why they shouldn't: Boise State beat an excellent Virginia Tech team. Ohio State beat a crappy Marshall team. Why is OSU ranked higher?
Conclusion: A quality win, but perhaps we should flip the Buckeyes and the Broncos for now. Decision: Overrated.
1. Alabama Crimson Tide
25 of 25
Why they should be here: The Crimson Tide looked the part of defending national champs against San Jose State, routing the Spartans 48-3.
Why they shouldn't: As defending champs, the Tide deserve to start the season ranked first. Until they lose, there's no reason to change that, so there's no reason to rank them below anyone.
Conclusion: A huge margin of victory against a bad team. Alabama will stay first until they lose. Decision: Just Right.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
