College Football Rankings: Which State Is Best?
The newest college football rankings were released today by both USA Today and the AP, and there was an interesting trend.
Several states saw multiple teams that reside within their borders either in the rankings, or appearing in the "Also Receiving Votes" column.
This got us to thinking; which state is the best of college football overall? We're not talking years past, or anything like that. This is a straight-up, who's the best, ranking of 10 states who saw multiple teams in or around the top 25 rankings this week. Let's get started.
10. Georgia
1 of 10
Ranked Teams: None
Schools ARV (Also Receiving Votes): Georgia, Georgia Tech
Why they're here: The state of Georgia is better at football than this. The two storied programs in the state both saw their standing take a hit over the weekend. Georgia fell to South Carolina 17-6, while Georgia Tech fell prey to the upset bug against Kansas, taking a 28-24 loss. But make no mistake, one or both of these schools will be back in the top 25 in the near future.
9. South Carolina
2 of 10
Ranked Teams: South Carolina (13 Coaches, 16 AP)
Teams ARV: None
Why They're Here: South Carolina is a relative newcomer to this interstate clash, as the Gamecocks have just recently come on the scene. But the Palmetto State is no one-hit-wonder, as the Clemson Tigers give them a second talented team sure to be appearing on ballots near you sometime soon. They'll climb this mountain sometime soon.
8. Ohio
3 of 10
Ranked Schools: Ohio State (Two in AP and Coaches)
Schools ARV: Cincinnati, in both polls
Why they're on the list: Ohio has been a hotbed of football action at every level for generations. For a long time, the college football landscape was dominated by the juggernaut in Columbus, Ohio State. But in recent years, the UC Bearcats have been shaking things up a bit. This year finds Ohio State ranked second overall, while UC has fallen out of the rankings. If the Bearcats come back into the fold, expect to see Ohio leapfrog a state or two.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
7. Oklahoma
4 of 10
Ranked Teams: Oklahoma (Seven in AP, Nine in Coaches)
Teams ARV: Oklahoma State
Why they're here: The Sooners and Cowboys make up quite the one-two punch in Oklahoma. OU beat the snot out of the Florida State Seminoles on Saturday, while OSU has racked up a 2-0 record to end up in the ARV category. If their win last week is any indication, things could be looking up for the Sooners in weeks to come.
6. Oregon
5 of 10
Ranked Teams: Oregon (Five AP, Six Coaches), Oregon State (25 AP, NR Coaches)
Schools ARV: Oregon State (In Coaches poll)
Why they're here: Their uniforms might be hideous, but make no mistake, both the Oregon Ducks and Oregon State Beavers can play some football. The Ducks have been a top 10 team all season, while the Beavers have looked solid thus far despite their opening loss to Sixth-ranked TCU. These teams can play, and they help the state of Oregon hang with the big boys in this ranking.
5. California
6 of 10
Ranked Teams: Cal (24 Coaches, NR AP), USC (18 AP, NR Coaches), Stanford (19 AP and Coaches)
Schools ARV: Cal (AP), Fresno State (AP and Coaches)
Why They're Here: With this many teams in or near the top 25 of both polls, it would have been foolish to leave them out. Cal is looking sharp, USC is clinging to its AP Poll rank, and Fresno is creeping slowly up the ARV list. But Stanford is the darling of the state right now, with rankings in both polls and the talent on roster to keep climbing. Can they knock off one of the big four states? We'll have to wait and see, now won't we?
4. Utah
7 of 10
Ranked Teams: Utah (14 AP and Coaches)
Schools ARV: BYU (Coaches),
Why They're here: Shocked? Apalled? Confused? Angered? Don't be. The state of Utah has become a force in the college football landscape, and this year is no exception. BYU looks solid, and the typically forgotten Aggies of Utah State pushed Oklahoma to the limit when the pair played in Norman. But the team to beat here are the Utes. Utah has been dominant in football for several years, and they look to be just as good now as in year's past. This state is much, much better at this sport than you think.
3. Alabama
8 of 10
Ranked Teams: Auburn (15 Coaches, 16 AP), Alabama (First, Coaches and AP)
Schools ARV: None.
Why they're here: It looks like another dominant year for Alabama colleges in football. The Crimson Tide look to be unstoppable, and Auburn appears to be in the midst of a renaissance behind dynamic junior quarterback Cameron Newton. These schools' strong play more than makes up for the lack of teams in the Top 25 compared to other states, but they're also good enough to keep 'Bama this high for a while.
2. Florida
9 of 10
Ranked Teams: Florida (Seven Coaches, 10 AP), Miami (17 AP and Coaches)
Schools ARV: Florida State (AP and Coaches)
Why They're Here: A week ago, and the state of Florida would have been higher on this list. But Miami and Florida State lost, and Florida's offense struggled against fellow peninsular team South Florida. But make no mistake, there is plenty of talent and depth in the state of Florida this year, hence their high ranking. If more losses occur, though, they could find themselves dropping in the standings.
1. Texas
10 of 10
Ranked Teams: Texas (Four Coaches, Six AP), TCU (Four AP, Five Coaches), Houston (23 Coaches and AP)
Schools ARV: Texas A&M (AP and Coaches), Texas Tech (AP and Coaches), Baylor (AP)
Why They're Here: More ranked teams, ranked higher and more consistently than any other state. More schools ARV than any other state. Texas is where football lives right now. In a month or two? That could change. But for now, the best state for college football is the Lone Star State. The Longhorns and Horned Frogs are national title contenders, while Houston, A&M, and Tech will hit the top 25 off and on all season long. Even Baylor could get some serious action in the polls if they play up to their potential. They have the height and depth to make sure they stay in the rankings for weeks to come.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
