BCS Rankings: 5 Surprises in the AP and USA Today Polls

In the AP and Coaches' Polls, sometimes teams move more or less than what was expected. We call these surprises, and they can be really strange in most cases.

The coaches and the media can be seemingly biased or off due to what story is the biggest or what team they used to coach, but as professionals paid to study and lead these teams, shouldn't they be more equal with their prejudice? 

In this week's USA Today Coaches' and AP Polls, we see five teams who stick out from the rest as not being where they're supposed to. We take a look at why they moved (or didn't), and where they should be.  

Unranked Texas A&M

Texas A&M has one of the most potent offenses in the nation. QB Ryan Tannehill and his offense can score on the ground or in the air easily and have displayed that in multiple games. All three of their losses have come by less than seven points, two of them to top 10 teams. 

That the Aggies dropped out of the rankings altogether is completely ridiculous. Missouri hasn't been super impressive this year, but they're somewhat strong in the Big 12, and losing in overtime to them was a tough loss.

A&M was No. 16, and even though teams ranked above them lost, they still managed to fall completely out. It comes as a complete surprise that the Aggies lost their footing in the Top 25 in both polls.  

As it happens, the three losses Texas A&M does have are the exact same three the Aggies had at the end of last season. Missouri, Oklahoma State and Arkansas were all close games last season and remained the same this year.

A&M might not be in the race for a BCS Bowl, but they still are in competition to end up in the Cotton or Alamo Bowls. 

Unranked/No. 24 Southern Miss

The Golden Eagles have one loss on the year to Marshall but otherwise have seven wins. They have played well against good teams, beating Navy, SMU and Virginia. However, my question will still stand as valid: Why is Southern Miss ranked at all?

The Coaches' Poll put this team up in the Top 25 for no other reason besides that it has only one loss? That, to me, is a major surprise. Many teams that play in big time conferences against tough opponents week-in and week-out that have two or three losses deserve that spot, especially in the poll that matters to the BCS.

Watching the Golden Eagles take away a rank from a team that actually needs it to stay up in the polls is disgraceful. At least the AP poll got it right and just put Auburn in there to finish out their Top 25. 

No. 19/No. 17 Wisconsin

Wisconsin has now lost two straight, first to a strong Michigan State team and then to an unranked Ohio State team. The Badgers are seemingly falling apart before our eyes, and there is nothing Russel Willsion or anyone can do about it.

However, how did they retain such a high spot in the polls? They dropped from No. 15 and No. 12 to No. 19 and No. 17—and they lost to an unranked opponent. The Aggies, just a rank above them, fell from 16 to out of the polls after a loss to Missouri, so why doesn't Wisconsin have the same fate? At least we should ask these voters to be consistent.

After being screwed last week by dropping so low after a loss to such a great team, the pollsters seemingly try to make up for it by giving away a good rank to a Badgers team who lost to an unranked opponent. The inconsistencies are blatant and just plain strange.  

No. 18/No. 20 Georgia

Georgia pulled off a big win yesterday over the Florida Gators, finishing the game 24-20. They now have completed a six-game win streak, five of which are against SEC teams. 

The Bulldogs are being overlooked by the polls. Their team is much stronger than we anticipated after seeing them lose consecutively to Boise State and South Carolina.

Well, now both of those teams are in the top 10 and Georgia is sitting way down at No. 20.

With a game next week against New Mexico State, the Bulldogs should extend their winning streak to seven and might finish out the regular season with all victories, as they face Auburn, Kentucky and Georgia Tech in their final three games. 

No. 17/No. 19 Kansas State

The Wildcats were an undefeated team until yesterday, losing badly to an impressive Oklahoma squad.

Now KSU has dropped from No. 8 and No. 12 to No. 17 and No. 19 after losing to highly ranked OU. A loss to a high-powered team like the Sooners should not cause such a drop and it's a surprise that a team with such poise and strength got shafted after the first sign of trouble. 

K-State is a good team who deserves more respect from the polls. Bill Snyder has transformed this team into a power that can once again change the landscape of college football. As they go into Oklahoma State next week, watch out for a possible upset.