College Football Rankings: Who Got Screwed in Week 3 Coaches' and AP Polls
Another round of polls is out, and another round of teams have more than a gripe about why they were left out of the polls or slotted too low.
This week, I'm going to give you 10 teams I thought were jobbed by the pollsters and why. Not only that, I'm going to tell you where they should have been.
If you see the national picture any differently, put it in the comments and we'll discuss it.
Penn State
1 of 10
Why They're Too Low
I know that Penn State is a one-loss team, but what are they doing below USC? The Trojans have beaten no one and don't look like a top team in the nation.
The Nittany Lions haven't beaten strong teams either and were blasted by Alabama, but they have more of a claim to a higher poll position to the Trojans. I'm not sure USC has had one impressive win this season, and I'm not sure they will all year long.
Penn State's more disciplined while USC picks up penalties like its a bodily function. USC hasn't been impressive at all this year and the AP should be ashamed for putting them in the poll.
Where They Should Be
No. 19 in the AP Poll and No. 21 in the Coaches' Poll
Michigan State
2 of 10
Why They're Too Low
What does a big win against Notre Dame on national television get you?
If you answered "the slot below Oregon State in the AP poll" then you were correct. How Michigan State, which is 3-0, ends up behind the 1-1 Beavers is beyond me. Oregon State lost to TCU and then beat Louisville by seven. That's not exactly a great resume at this point in the season.
The coaches had it right and kept the Beavers out of the Top 25.
Where They Should Be
No. 23 in the AP Poll
Michigan
3 of 10
Why They're Too Low
For some reason, USC is not only ranked in the AP Poll but ranked above 3-0 Michigan.
The Wolverines did struggle against UMass last week, but it's not like USC hasn't struggled and struggled mightily, especially on defense. The Trojans have looked awful on defense and undisciplined in every sense of the word. At least Michigan has some signature wins with some great play from Denard Robinson.
USC is out there struggling against Minnesota. Give me a break.
Where They Should Be
No. 20 in the AP Poll and Coaches' Poll
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Utah
4 of 10
Why They're Too Low
I know there's not much difference between the resumes of Utah and LSU, but I think the Utes should be ranked higher in the Coaches' Poll.
I think the fact that LSU let North Carolina back into the game Week 1 should be taken into account. Les Miles does things like that all the time; he is an awful game manager and loses games he should all the time.
Utah, on the other hand, upset Pittsburgh to start the season and has done enough to get by since then. I know that really doesn't deserve much reward, but I feel like the Utes' body of work is better.
Where They Should Be
No. 12 in the Coaches' Poll
Miami (FL)
5 of 10
Why They're Too Low
So let me get this straight: Miami loses to No. 2 Ohio State and Iowa loses to No. 24 Arizona, and the Hurricanes are below the Hawkeyes in not one but both polls? I think that's a joke.
I know the Hurricanes got blasted and were ranked lower than Iowa to start the season, but I think a whole season's body of work should be taken into account and when you look at both losses, I think that a loss to Ohio State trumps a loss to Arizona.
Sorry Wildcat fans.
Where They Should Be
No. 18 in the AP and Coaches' Poll
Wisconsin
6 of 10
Why They're Too Low
I don't understand what's so great about Oklahoma. I really don't.
Sure, they pummeled Florida State, but color me unimpressed. The Seminoles are overrated every year and they got exposed again this year. Other than that, the Sooners have struggled against weak competition.
Oklahoma has beaten Utah State and Air Force (who isn't terrible, but still) by a combined 10 points. Meanwhile, Wisconsin hasn't exactly been impressive either, but its closest win was by one point over Arizona State. At least that's a Pac-10 team.
Where They Should Be
No. 10 in the AP Poll and No. 9 in the Coaches' Poll
Arkansas
7 of 10
Why They're Too Low
Another team to suffer the fate of being ranked below Oklahoma is Arkansas.
The Razorbacks just won a tough game in Georgia this past weekend and that is no easy feat. Ryan Mallett has looked good under center and winning a game in the SEC on the road is a more impressive feat than anything Oklahoma has accomplished.
I'm not so sure how much longer the Sooners can be rewarded for unimpressive wins.
Where They Should Be
No. 9 in the AP Poll and No. 10 in the Coaches' Poll
Missouri
8 of 10
Why They're Too Low
So the coaches found Missouri worthy enough of a slot in the Top 25, but for some reason the AP aren't big fans of the Tigers.
Not only is Missouri not in the poll, five more teams received more votes than the Tigers. I think that's a joke. I know Missouri hasn't been impressive at times, including a squeaker against San Diego State last week, but the Tigers aren't worse than Pittsburgh.
The AP Poll needs some serious adjustment.
Where They Should Be
No. 24 in the AP Poll
Oklahoma State
9 of 10
Why They're Too Low
If you thought Missouri was bad, Oklahoma State suffered the same fat.
The Cowboys are ranked No. 25 in the coaches poll, but then ended up behind Missouri in the "Also Receiving Votes" section. Oklahoma State has pounded the opponents it has faced early in the season, and while they aren't the toughest teams, you have to beat those teams badly.
I'm not sure what the coaches see that the AP doesn't, but Oklahoma State should have received more votes and been in the poll this week.
Where They Should Be
No. 23 in the AP Poll
Nevada
10 of 10
Why They're Too Low
While Nevada is in the WAC, I think Boise State has proven the WAC can beat the big boys and the Wolf Pack made that perfectly clear this past weekend.
Nevada ripped California to shreds this past week to the tune of 52-31. While Cal wasn't projected to be a great team this year, the Golden Bears were expected to win this game, especially after dominating lesser competition the first two weeks of the year. Not to mention they were ranked coming into the game.
The Wolf Pack made a statement last week and combined with their body of work, they should have been in the polls this week.
Where They Should Be
No. 25 in the AP and Coaches' Poll
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
