Clemson goes to the National Title game this year imo.
Looking at the schedule, the Tigers might be favored in every single game they play this year.
Then again, they always seem to drop a game or 2 to a team they have no business losing to.
I think we could see 3 teams run the table this regular season. The following have a good shot in my opinion. Im leaving out all SEC teams because its just so tough to make it out of that undefeated:
The winner of the Ohio St./USC game
Clemson
Oklahoma
West Virginia (if they get by Auburn)
I wonder how many times most of the top 10 have stayed there, or the top 5 or even the top 1 or 2. It seems to me that there are almost always major miscalculations and major changes between the beginning and the end of every year.
It would be interesting to see how far off these polls are in some kind of statistical way.
It would be interesting to see how far off these polls are in some kind of statistical way.
Well just for comparison sakes.
Preseaon WK 1
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD>AP Top 25</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow><TD> 1. USC (62) 0-0 1,622</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD> 2. LSU (2) 0-0 1,511</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD> 3. West Virginia (1) 0-0 1,396</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD> 4. Texas 0-0 1,375</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD> 5. Michigan 0-0 1,371</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD> 6. Florida 0-0 1,276</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD> 7. Wisconsin 0-0 1,192</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD> 8. Oklahoma 0-0 1,166</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD> 9. Virginia Tech 0-0 1,148</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>10. Louisville 0-0 1,031</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>11. Ohio State 0-0 876</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>12. California 0-0 790</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>13. Georgia 0-0 782</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>14. UCLA 0-0 605</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>15. Tennessee 0-0 571</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>16. Rutgers 0-0 560</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>17. Penn State 0-0 542</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>18. Auburn 0-0 519</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>19. Florida State 0-0 392</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>20. Nebraska 0-0 377</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>21. Arkansas 0-0 376</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>22. TCU 0-0 283</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>23. Hawaii 0-0 256</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>24. Boise State 0-0 187</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>25. Texas A&M 0-0 162</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>Others Receiving Votes
Missouri 128, Georgia Tech 94, Boston College 75, Oregon 73, South Carolina 69, Miami (FL) 68, Alabama 66, Oregon State 42, Wake Forest 40, South Florida 28, Arizona State 17, Brigham Young 14, Southern Miss 12, Notre Dame 11, Virginia 7, Clemson 6, Oklahoma State 3, Texas Tech 2, Purdue 1, Houston 1, Kentucky 1, North Carolina State 1.</TD></TR><TR class=colhead align=middle><TD>Complete Rankings
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD>USA Today Poll</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow><TD> 1. USC (45) 0-0 1,481</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD> 2. LSU (4) 0-0 1,372</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD> 3. Florida (9) 0-0 1,278</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD> 4. Texas 0-0 1,231</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD> 5. Michigan (2) 0-0 1,218</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD> 6. West Virginia 0-0 1,205</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD> 7. Wisconsin 0-0 1,114</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD> 8. Oklahoma 0-0 1,026</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD> 9. Virginia Tech 0-0 1,005</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>10. Ohio State 0-0 919</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>11. Louisville 0-0 836</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>12. California 0-0 763</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>13. Georgia 0-0 604</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>14. Auburn 0-0 595</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>15. Tennessee 0-0 583</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>16. Rutgers 0-0 466</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>17. UCLA 0-0 454</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>18. Penn State 0-0 440</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>19. Nebraska 0-0 388</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>20. Arkansas 0-0 360</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>21. Florida State 0-0 301</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>22. TCU 0-0 233</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>23. Boise State 0-0 222</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>24. Hawaii 0-0 214</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>25. Texas A&M 0-0 209</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>Others Receiving Votes
Boston College 150, Georgia Tech 150, Miami (FL) 91, Notre Dame 90, South Carolina 90, Wake Forest 71, Missouri 58, Oregon State 52, Brigham Young 47, Clemson 30, Oregon 30, South Florida 26, Texas Tech 20, Alabama 16, Oklahoma State 15, Southern Miss 14, Iowa 12, Kansas State 8, Memphis 5, Houston 4, Arizona 1, Duke 1, Kentucky 1, Washington State 1.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Final Week
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD>AP Top 25</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow><TD> 1. LSU (60) 12-2 1,620</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD> 2. Georgia (3) 11-2 1,515</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD> 3. USC (1) 11-2 1,500</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD> 4. Missouri 12-2 1,347</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD> 5. Ohio State 11-2 1,346</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD> 6. West Virginia 11-2 1,342</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD> 7. Kansas (1) 12-1 1,303</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD> 8. Oklahoma 11-3 1,139</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD> 9. Virginia Tech 11-3 1,096</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>10. Texas 10-3 962</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>10. Boston College 11-3 962</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>12. Tennessee 10-4 904</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>13. Florida 9-4 685</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>14. Brigham Young 11-2 654</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>15. Auburn 9-4 648</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>16. Arizona State 10-3 587</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>17. Cincinnati 10-3 566</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>18. Michigan 9-4 508</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>19. Hawaii 12-1 460</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>20. Illinois 9-4 443</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>21. Clemson 9-4 353</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>22. Texas Tech 9-4 308</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>23. Oregon 9-4 253</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>24. Wisconsin 9-4 202</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>25. Oregon State 9-4 110</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>Others Receiving Votes
Virginia 66, Penn State 61, Kentucky 57, Wake Forest 53, Boise State 25, Arkansas 13, Utah 9, Mississippi State 7, Appalachian State 5, South Florida 5, Tulsa 4, Connecticut 3, Air Force 2, Rutgers 2. Dropped From Rankings
Virginia 21, South Florida 23, Boise State 24, Arkansas 25.</TD></TR><TR class=colhead align=middle><TD>Complete Rankings</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD>USA Today Poll</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow><TD> 1. LSU (60) 12-2 1,500</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD> 2. USC 11-2 1,380</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD> 3. Georgia 11-2 1,370</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD> 4. Ohio State 11-2 1,287</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD> 5. Missouri 12-2 1,241</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD> 6. West Virginia 11-2 1,239</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD> 7. Kansas 12-1 1,217</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD> 8. Oklahoma 11-3 1,016</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD> 9. Virginia Tech 11-3 979</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>10. Texas 10-3 924</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>11. Boston College 11-3 898</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>12. Tennessee 10-4 826</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>13. Arizona State 10-3 635</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>14. Auburn 9-4 624</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>14. Brigham Young 11-2 624</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>16. Florida 9-4 567</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>17. Hawaii 12-1 427</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>18. Illinois 9-4 416</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>19. Michigan 9-4 413</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>20. Cincinnati 10-3 376</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>21. Wisconsin 9-4 333</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>22. Clemson 9-4 319</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>23. Texas Tech 9-4 242</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>24. Oregon 9-4 192</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>25. Penn State 9-4 127</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>Others Receiving Votes
Oregon State 108, Virginia 71, Wake Forest 53, Boise State 33, Fresno State 11, Kentucky 11, California 8, Connecticut 8, Mississippi State 7, South Florida 6, Tulsa 5, UCF 4, Utah 2, Arkansas 1. Dropped From Rankings
Virginia 20, Boise State 22, Arkansas 24, South Florida 25.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Preseaon WK 1
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD>AP Top 25</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow><TD> 1. USC (62) 0-0 1,622</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD> 2. LSU (2) 0-0 1,511</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD> 3. West Virginia (1) 0-0 1,396</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD> 4. Texas 0-0 1,375</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD> 5. Michigan 0-0 1,371</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD> 6. Florida 0-0 1,276</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD> 7. Wisconsin 0-0 1,192</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD> 8. Oklahoma 0-0 1,166</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD> 9. Virginia Tech 0-0 1,148</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>10. Louisville 0-0 1,031</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>11. Ohio State 0-0 876</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>12. California 0-0 790</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>13. Georgia 0-0 782</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>14. UCLA 0-0 605</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>15. Tennessee 0-0 571</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>16. Rutgers 0-0 560</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>17. Penn State 0-0 542</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>18. Auburn 0-0 519</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>19. Florida State 0-0 392</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>20. Nebraska 0-0 377</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>21. Arkansas 0-0 376</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>22. TCU 0-0 283</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>23. Hawaii 0-0 256</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>24. Boise State 0-0 187</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>25. Texas A&M 0-0 162</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>Others Receiving Votes
Missouri 128, Georgia Tech 94, Boston College 75, Oregon 73, South Carolina 69, Miami (FL) 68, Alabama 66, Oregon State 42, Wake Forest 40, South Florida 28, Arizona State 17, Brigham Young 14, Southern Miss 12, Notre Dame 11, Virginia 7, Clemson 6, Oklahoma State 3, Texas Tech 2, Purdue 1, Houston 1, Kentucky 1, North Carolina State 1.</TD></TR><TR class=colhead align=middle><TD>Complete Rankings
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD>USA Today Poll</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow><TD> 1. USC (45) 0-0 1,481</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD> 2. LSU (4) 0-0 1,372</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD> 3. Florida (9) 0-0 1,278</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD> 4. Texas 0-0 1,231</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD> 5. Michigan (2) 0-0 1,218</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD> 6. West Virginia 0-0 1,205</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD> 7. Wisconsin 0-0 1,114</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD> 8. Oklahoma 0-0 1,026</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD> 9. Virginia Tech 0-0 1,005</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>10. Ohio State 0-0 919</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>11. Louisville 0-0 836</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>12. California 0-0 763</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>13. Georgia 0-0 604</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>14. Auburn 0-0 595</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>15. Tennessee 0-0 583</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>16. Rutgers 0-0 466</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>17. UCLA 0-0 454</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>18. Penn State 0-0 440</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>19. Nebraska 0-0 388</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>20. Arkansas 0-0 360</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>21. Florida State 0-0 301</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>22. TCU 0-0 233</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>23. Boise State 0-0 222</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>24. Hawaii 0-0 214</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>25. Texas A&M 0-0 209</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>Others Receiving Votes
Boston College 150, Georgia Tech 150, Miami (FL) 91, Notre Dame 90, South Carolina 90, Wake Forest 71, Missouri 58, Oregon State 52, Brigham Young 47, Clemson 30, Oregon 30, South Florida 26, Texas Tech 20, Alabama 16, Oklahoma State 15, Southern Miss 14, Iowa 12, Kansas State 8, Memphis 5, Houston 4, Arizona 1, Duke 1, Kentucky 1, Washington State 1.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Final Week
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD>AP Top 25</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow><TD> 1. LSU (60) 12-2 1,620</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD> 2. Georgia (3) 11-2 1,515</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD> 3. USC (1) 11-2 1,500</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD> 4. Missouri 12-2 1,347</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD> 5. Ohio State 11-2 1,346</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD> 6. West Virginia 11-2 1,342</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD> 7. Kansas (1) 12-1 1,303</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD> 8. Oklahoma 11-3 1,139</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD> 9. Virginia Tech 11-3 1,096</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>10. Texas 10-3 962</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>10. Boston College 11-3 962</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>12. Tennessee 10-4 904</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>13. Florida 9-4 685</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>14. Brigham Young 11-2 654</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>15. Auburn 9-4 648</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>16. Arizona State 10-3 587</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>17. Cincinnati 10-3 566</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>18. Michigan 9-4 508</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>19. Hawaii 12-1 460</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>20. Illinois 9-4 443</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>21. Clemson 9-4 353</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>22. Texas Tech 9-4 308</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>23. Oregon 9-4 253</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>24. Wisconsin 9-4 202</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>25. Oregon State 9-4 110</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>Others Receiving Votes
Virginia 66, Penn State 61, Kentucky 57, Wake Forest 53, Boise State 25, Arkansas 13, Utah 9, Mississippi State 7, Appalachian State 5, South Florida 5, Tulsa 4, Connecticut 3, Air Force 2, Rutgers 2. Dropped From Rankings
Virginia 21, South Florida 23, Boise State 24, Arkansas 25.</TD></TR><TR class=colhead align=middle><TD>Complete Rankings</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD>USA Today Poll</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow><TD> 1. LSU (60) 12-2 1,500</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD> 2. USC 11-2 1,380</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD> 3. Georgia 11-2 1,370</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD> 4. Ohio State 11-2 1,287</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD> 5. Missouri 12-2 1,241</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD> 6. West Virginia 11-2 1,239</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD> 7. Kansas 12-1 1,217</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD> 8. Oklahoma 11-3 1,016</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD> 9. Virginia Tech 11-3 979</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>10. Texas 10-3 924</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>11. Boston College 11-3 898</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>12. Tennessee 10-4 826</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>13. Arizona State 10-3 635</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>14. Auburn 9-4 624</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>14. Brigham Young 11-2 624</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>16. Florida 9-4 567</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>17. Hawaii 12-1 427</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>18. Illinois 9-4 416</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>19. Michigan 9-4 413</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>20. Cincinnati 10-3 376</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>21. Wisconsin 9-4 333</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>22. Clemson 9-4 319</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>23. Texas Tech 9-4 242</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>24. Oregon 9-4 192</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>25. Penn State 9-4 127</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>Others Receiving Votes
Oregon State 108, Virginia 71, Wake Forest 53, Boise State 33, Fresno State 11, Kentucky 11, California 8, Connecticut 8, Mississippi State 7, South Florida 6, Tulsa 5, UCF 4, Utah 2, Arkansas 1. Dropped From Rankings
Virginia 20, Boise State 22, Arkansas 24, South Florida 25.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
UGA, Florida, and Auburn are all strong candidates to go to the national championship game this year from the SEC IMO.
In my post I listed teams that I thought had a decent chance to run the table and go undefeated due to their somewhat weaker schedules.
I think any of the teams I listed have a better shot to go undefeated than any SEC team just because of strength of schedule differences.
Final 2007 USA-Today Poll rankings (where they were preseason)
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=oddrow><TD>1. LSU (2)</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>2. USC (1)</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>3. Georgia (13)</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>4. Ohio State (10)</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>5. Missouri (NR)</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>6. West Virginia (3&6)</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>7. Kansas (NR)</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>8. Oklahoma (8)</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>9. Virginia Tech (9)</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>10. Texas (4)</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>11. Boston College (NR)</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>12. Tennessee (15)</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>13. Arizona State (NR)</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>14. Auburn (14&18)</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>14. Brigham Young(NR)</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>16. Florida (3&6)</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>17. Hawaii (23)</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>18. Illinois (NR)</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>19. Michigan (5)</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>20. Cincinnati (NR)</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>21. Wisconsin (7)</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>22. Clemson (NR)</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>23. Texas Tech (NR)</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>24. Oregon (NR)</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>25. Penn State (18)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=oddrow><TD>1. LSU (2)</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>2. USC (1)</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>3. Georgia (13)</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>4. Ohio State (10)</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>5. Missouri (NR)</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>6. West Virginia (3&6)</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>7. Kansas (NR)</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>8. Oklahoma (8)</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>9. Virginia Tech (9)</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>10. Texas (4)</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>11. Boston College (NR)</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>12. Tennessee (15)</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>13. Arizona State (NR)</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>14. Auburn (14&18)</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>14. Brigham Young(NR)</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>16. Florida (3&6)</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>17. Hawaii (23)</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>18. Illinois (NR)</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>19. Michigan (5)</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>20. Cincinnati (NR)</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>21. Wisconsin (7)</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>22. Clemson (NR)</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>23. Texas Tech (NR)</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>24. Oregon (NR)</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>25. Penn State (18)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
My mistake, I misread your question.
Yes they are rated. Utah is not, The following teams were not rated.
Alabama 83, South Carolina 64, Utah 60, Rutgers 53, Florida State 53, Boston College 47, California 41, Pittsburgh 34, Boise State 25, Oregon State 23, Nebraska 17, Cincinnati 13, Virginia 12, Connecticut 9, Michigan State 9, Mississippi State 6, Kentucky 5, Notre Dame 5, TCU 5, Maryland 4, Texas A&M 3, UCLA 3, North Carolina 3, Louisville 2, Georgia Tech 2, UCF 2, Tulsa 1, Oklahoma State 1, Arizona 1, Colorado 1.
Here's a good article about the teams who may disappoint and some potential sleepers who may move up in the rankings.
Sunday, August 03 - 7:17 PM EDT
Stewart Mandel: Picking three potential sleepers and busts
Posted: Sat, Aug 02, 08 - 12:28:30 AM EDT
Utah looks to crash the BCS by riding star RB Darrell Mack. Credit: AP
Read Full Article
All summer long, I've been getting several thousand variations of the following question, and all summer long, I've been dodging it. Explanation to follow ...
Stewart, doing some math on the "poll comparison" Web site you mentioned last week, I see that over the past 15 years, an average of 3.5 teams per year start unranked and then end up in the top 15. On the other side of things, 3.4 teams start in the top 15 and end up unranked. Looking at the consensus preseason poll this year, which are the three teams you have falling into both categories? -- Jonathan Dennis, San Antonio
This is the annual "no-win" question. People like "sleeper" picks, so the first part is fairly harmless. No one gets particularly agitated if one of your "sleeper" teams winds up going 6-6. But whichever three I pick as potential "busts" -- obviously, their fans are not going to be happy. Even if I nail two of the three correctly, fans of the third one are going to remind me about this misjudgment endlessly for nine months afterward.
I'll answer your question, Jonathan, but only because you put in the math. Just note that I will be posting your e-mail address on the offended teams' message boards and telling them it was your idea.
Three That Could End Up In The Top 15
1) Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights fell back off the map following a "disappointing" (as of 2005) 8-5 season, but it would not surprise me if Greg Schiano's squad returns to its 11-2 heights of a year earlier. The talent level in Piscataway has only gotten better now that Schiano can sell recruits on more than just blind faith. The passing game should be lethal with QB Mike Teel and receivers Tiquan Underwood and Kenny Britt returning, and the defense, which took a step back last year, will include nine upperclass starters.
2) Utah. I know BYU is the trendy "BCS buster" pick, and I will have the Cougars ranked in my preseason ballot, too. It's hard to pick against a team that has won 16 straight conference games and returns practically its entire offense. There's a part of me, however, that wonders whether we're propping up the wrong Utah team. The Utes ended last season nearly as hot as their rivals and return 1,204-yard rusher Darrell Mack and four of his starting blockers. Utah has a chance to prove itself in Week 1, opening up the season with a nationally televised game at Michigan.
3) Alabama. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: In Saban, I trust. Yes, the Tide lost to Louisiana-Monroe last year. Yes, seemingly half their roster has been either injured or arrested this offseason. Still, I can't shake the feeling that Nick Saban will do exactly what he did in Year 2 at LSU: Throw a handful of his most touted freshmen on the field, turn up the intensity on defense and churn out nine or 10 wins.
Three That Could Plummet Out Of The Rankings
1) West Virginia. Not only are the Mountaineers undergoing a boatload of change in their program, but their schedule is also significantly tougher than in recent years, with non-conference games at Colorado and against Auburn. On the one hand, it's easy to think Pat White and Noel Devine alone will propel the Mountaineers to another lofty ranking. On the other hand, Louisville had Brian Brohm last year and still took a nosedive.
2) Texas Tech. Don't get me wrong, I'm solidly on the Mike Leach bandwagon -- the Red Raiders will appear in my preseason top 10. But I'm also the first to acknowledge that we're all taking a tremendous leap of faith with our rankings considering Tech has never finished higher than 18th (2004) under Leach and finished with fewer than three conference losses just once ('05). It's not inconceivable they could wind up being this year's Cal.
3) Wisconsin. I feel really uncomfortable with this one -- the Badgers might not go 10-2, but I have a hard time envisioning them falling out of the top 25 altogether. That said, one could argue that no team on the list has a bigger question mark at quarterback, besides LSU (and the Tigers sure as heck aren't falling out of the top 25). Wisconsin has more running backs than it knows what to do with, but if by chance it fails to develop any balance, trouble could ensue.
Just for the record, I have much more faith in the first list than the second. While it's all but a foregone conclusion that a few highly-ranked teams will completely tank, it's like throwing darts trying to predict which ones they'll be. And not having Michigan or Notre Dame up there this year makes it that much harder.
Has Maryland hit a ceiling under Ralph Friedgen? The Terps had that streak of 10-win seasons from 2001-03 but have been mediocre since the ACC expanded, and the team seems totally off the radar this preseason. Should Terps fans be thinking about change or is Friedgen safe forever? -- Dan, Arlington, Va.
I actually think the Terps could surprise some people this year (though not dramatically enough for me to consider putting them in that top 15 list above). The offensive line is stacked and Darrius Heyward-Bey is one of the most talented receivers in the country. If Friedgen settles on the right QB (Is it just me, or has that been an issue there for about six-straight years?) and sophomore RB Da'Rel Scott lives up to the hype, Maryland will win some games in 2008.
Sunday, August 03 - 7:17 PM EDT
Stewart Mandel: Picking three potential sleepers and busts
Posted: Sat, Aug 02, 08 - 12:28:30 AM EDT
Utah looks to crash the BCS by riding star RB Darrell Mack. Credit: AP
Read Full Article
All summer long, I've been getting several thousand variations of the following question, and all summer long, I've been dodging it. Explanation to follow ...
Stewart, doing some math on the "poll comparison" Web site you mentioned last week, I see that over the past 15 years, an average of 3.5 teams per year start unranked and then end up in the top 15. On the other side of things, 3.4 teams start in the top 15 and end up unranked. Looking at the consensus preseason poll this year, which are the three teams you have falling into both categories? -- Jonathan Dennis, San Antonio
This is the annual "no-win" question. People like "sleeper" picks, so the first part is fairly harmless. No one gets particularly agitated if one of your "sleeper" teams winds up going 6-6. But whichever three I pick as potential "busts" -- obviously, their fans are not going to be happy. Even if I nail two of the three correctly, fans of the third one are going to remind me about this misjudgment endlessly for nine months afterward.
I'll answer your question, Jonathan, but only because you put in the math. Just note that I will be posting your e-mail address on the offended teams' message boards and telling them it was your idea.
Three That Could End Up In The Top 15
1) Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights fell back off the map following a "disappointing" (as of 2005) 8-5 season, but it would not surprise me if Greg Schiano's squad returns to its 11-2 heights of a year earlier. The talent level in Piscataway has only gotten better now that Schiano can sell recruits on more than just blind faith. The passing game should be lethal with QB Mike Teel and receivers Tiquan Underwood and Kenny Britt returning, and the defense, which took a step back last year, will include nine upperclass starters.
2) Utah. I know BYU is the trendy "BCS buster" pick, and I will have the Cougars ranked in my preseason ballot, too. It's hard to pick against a team that has won 16 straight conference games and returns practically its entire offense. There's a part of me, however, that wonders whether we're propping up the wrong Utah team. The Utes ended last season nearly as hot as their rivals and return 1,204-yard rusher Darrell Mack and four of his starting blockers. Utah has a chance to prove itself in Week 1, opening up the season with a nationally televised game at Michigan.
3) Alabama. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: In Saban, I trust. Yes, the Tide lost to Louisiana-Monroe last year. Yes, seemingly half their roster has been either injured or arrested this offseason. Still, I can't shake the feeling that Nick Saban will do exactly what he did in Year 2 at LSU: Throw a handful of his most touted freshmen on the field, turn up the intensity on defense and churn out nine or 10 wins.
Three That Could Plummet Out Of The Rankings
1) West Virginia. Not only are the Mountaineers undergoing a boatload of change in their program, but their schedule is also significantly tougher than in recent years, with non-conference games at Colorado and against Auburn. On the one hand, it's easy to think Pat White and Noel Devine alone will propel the Mountaineers to another lofty ranking. On the other hand, Louisville had Brian Brohm last year and still took a nosedive.
2) Texas Tech. Don't get me wrong, I'm solidly on the Mike Leach bandwagon -- the Red Raiders will appear in my preseason top 10. But I'm also the first to acknowledge that we're all taking a tremendous leap of faith with our rankings considering Tech has never finished higher than 18th (2004) under Leach and finished with fewer than three conference losses just once ('05). It's not inconceivable they could wind up being this year's Cal.
3) Wisconsin. I feel really uncomfortable with this one -- the Badgers might not go 10-2, but I have a hard time envisioning them falling out of the top 25 altogether. That said, one could argue that no team on the list has a bigger question mark at quarterback, besides LSU (and the Tigers sure as heck aren't falling out of the top 25). Wisconsin has more running backs than it knows what to do with, but if by chance it fails to develop any balance, trouble could ensue.
Just for the record, I have much more faith in the first list than the second. While it's all but a foregone conclusion that a few highly-ranked teams will completely tank, it's like throwing darts trying to predict which ones they'll be. And not having Michigan or Notre Dame up there this year makes it that much harder.
Has Maryland hit a ceiling under Ralph Friedgen? The Terps had that streak of 10-win seasons from 2001-03 but have been mediocre since the ACC expanded, and the team seems totally off the radar this preseason. Should Terps fans be thinking about change or is Friedgen safe forever? -- Dan, Arlington, Va.
I actually think the Terps could surprise some people this year (though not dramatically enough for me to consider putting them in that top 15 list above). The offensive line is stacked and Darrius Heyward-Bey is one of the most talented receivers in the country. If Friedgen settles on the right QB (Is it just me, or has that been an issue there for about six-straight years?) and sophomore RB Da'Rel Scott lives up to the hype, Maryland will win some games in 2008.
Teams 8-9-10 all had 3 losses last year and made the final Top 10 in the AP poll, 2 of which were Conference Champs and picked up their 3rd loss in a BCS bowl (Okie/VT) so from my view point of South Carolina making it there, its doubtful unless they completly surprise going 10-2 in the regular season although I would be more than pleased with a 9-3 year, no matter the ranking.
The first 4 teams that are rated out of the top 25 (Bama, SC, Utah, Rutgers) I feel have a pretty good chance at getting there. I mentioned CAL in that group because they are in a PAC-10 conference that is at least perceived as being a little down this year. And they have a pretty doable conference road schedule. The reason I like South Carolina as a possible top 10 or maybe top 15 team is their defense..I feel like they'll have one of the best defenses in the SEC...And except for their last two road games, they play all of their tough games at home. It's possible they could get out of the season with just two losses..But they'll have to win at least two games where they'll be the dogs. But that's what surprise teams do.
