College Football Rankings 2011 Week 2: 3 Bandwagons That Just Got More Crowded

Bandwagon fans.

They attach to teams like leaches and have the attention spans of a gnat.

They get excited by one brilliant game and what a team’s ranking is in the AP poll.

The way they talk about some one-dimensional teams, you would think said teams aren’t one-dimensional at all.

The presence of bandwagon fans sometimes is an indication of how dominant a team is (i.e. Auburn, 2010). Other times, however, it’s an indication of an over-hyped team.

Here are three bandwagons that just got much more crowded.

3. South Carolina (No. 12)

The South Carolina Gamecocks came into their Week 2 matchup against the Georgia Bulldogs with a legit offense, sporting a passing game with quarterback Stephen Garcia and top receiver Alshon Jeffery and a rushing attack complete with Marcus Lattimore.

They showed that explosiveness against Georgia on Saturday, winning a shootout, 45-42. No matter that their defense has been horrible; a high-octane offense draws plenty of fans.

2. LSU (No. 2)

The LSU Tigers have always drawn their fair share of bandwagon fans, given they generally win a lot of games, but after their win against then-No. 3 Oregon to start the season, they skyrocketed in College Football Nation. Led by a quarterback who doesn’t turn the ball over (yes, that’s a slight of Jordan Jefferson), the Tigers have a legitimate shot to go to the BCS National Championship Game this season.

1. Baylor (No. 20)

Nothing like uprooting a team that lost zero games last season and won the Rose Bowl to start off your 2011 campaign. The Baylor Bears, led by dual-threat quarterback Robert Griffin III, captured the nation after their stunning 50-48 victory over the TCU Horned Frogs.

Their win propelled them to the top 25 and sent the Horned Frogs cascading down the rankings from No. 14 to No. 25. Griffin is a Heisman candidate this season and the Bears will make plenty of friends with their explosive offense.