By Kyle Soppe
LSU received every vote, the first unanimous selection of the season. There was also no arguing as to who is the second best team in the nation, as the Crimson Tide was second on every ballot. Five teams (Wisconsin, Michigan State, Michigan, Georgia, and Georgia Tech) received votes but not enough to make our top 15. Oklahoma State and Boise State appear to be close, but OK State was ahead of Kellen Moore and Co on every poll submitted.
| Teams | Points |
| LSU (7) | 105 |
| Alabama | 98 |
| Oklahoma State | 89 |
| Boise State | 79 |
| Stanford | 72 |
| Oklahoma | 67 |
| Oregon | 61 |
| Arkansas | 50 |
| Clemson | 46 |
| Nebraska | 32 |
| Virginia Tech | 31 |
| South Carolina | 28 |
| Houston | 22 |
| Kansas State | 16 |
| Penn State | 14 |
Obviously, I voted LSU #1, but I’m a little surprised our voters aren’t split on that decision. After next weekend, I think Kyle should just ask us to submit 2 through 15. 😉
Casey will be happy that South Carolina is back where they probably belong. I’m not a big fan of voting them lower because you expect them to fail down the road either.
I’m happy to see Penn State crack the poll, although it might be for one week only. Smitty made a good point in the last CFB thread that next weekend’s game with Nebraska is going to tell a lot about both teams. I’m, honestly, afraid it’s going to expose Penn State more than it will highlight Nebraska, but we’ll see.
Actually Casey was reacting to a comment I made in my review of the games. Personally, I felt there was no way South Carolina should have dropped out of our Top 15 last week. I think the Pine anticipated them to lose after the loss of Lattimore. They may lose down the road, but like you said – you can’t vote them out based on what you believe will happen.That was my 2 cents on it.
After watching that Stanford/USC game, I am starting to think that Stanford is right behind Oklahoma State for best teams in the country. And despite whether people like them or not, USC has a pretty good team.
Kyle, sorry I did not get in on time. This is my first opportunity at the internet in 3 days!!!!
I think it’s interesting that Oklahoma is ahead of Oregon. Each team has one loss, Oregon’s was to the #1 team in our poll and was in Week One. Oklahoma lost to an average TexasTech team in Norman. I don’t think there should be a huge seperation but Oregon’s resume is better.
I’m also a little surprised Georgia didn’t make the cut. Winners of six in a row, but I guess it’s fair to say they haven’t really beaten anyone of note in that six game streak.
I think everyone is sleeping on Arkansas. They’re one loss is to Bama in Bama. If they beat South Carolina at home then they should be 10-1 for the season finale against LSU. Awfully interesting to me.
And as a fan, I was rooting hard for USC Saturday night. I want to see Boise in the NC, if they deserve it. Although it will be awfully difficult now with OK State and Stanford both still in front of them. Do you guys think that (huge hypothetical coming):
IF:
Oregon beats Stanford
Oklahoma beats OK State
Would Boise be #2 behind the Bama/LSU winner or would a one loss Oregon or Oklahoma jump them? Awfully interesting.
Drew – I agree with you on the Oregon/ Oklahoma comment. While the Sooners’ win at Kansas State was impressive, I don’t think it warranted a jump that far back up – especially over an Oregon team that has kept winning since their first game loss. Plus they have been playing with a lot of injuries, and not skipping a beat.
As for your hypothetical, I really don’t see Boise State getting into the National Championship even if the chips fall their way. Let’s look at their last 5 games:
UNLV, TCU, San Diego, Wyoming and New Mexico
Let’s look at Oklahoma:
Texas A&M, Baylor, Iowa State, Oklahoma State and potentially a Big 12 championship game.
If both teams ran the table, I just don’t see the BCS spitting Boise State’s name out in the Championship game. It will end up being Oklahoma or possibly (remotely) the Bama/LSU loser.
I thought Georgia looked pretty good over the weekend, but I think they are just outside the Top 15. The win in the Swamp was a big win for them, even if Florida is having a down year.
I honestly thought the USC/Stanford game was one of the better games I have seen all year. I am one of them that puts Stanford ahead of Boise State right now.
I also Stanford ranked ahead of Boise. The Broncos looked unimpressive in their win over Air Force. Notre Dame destroyed the Falcons, yet Air Force was within 7 in the fourth against Boise. And USC is good.
As for Oregon – they haven’t done anything to make me forget that loss to LSU. Yes they have seven wins. None of those victories have impressed me. And the loss to the Tigers was not as a close as the 40-27 score might suggest.
I agree with Casey. While Oregon’s one loss hurts them less than Oklahoma’s, the Sooners have more impressive wins on their resume. Just goes to show you, there are different angles these decisions can be viewed from, and none of them are necessarily wrong.