| Rank | Team |
| 1 | Ohio State |
| 2 | Georgia |
| 3 | USC |
| 4 | Florida |
| 5 | Missouri |
| 6 | Texas Tech |
| 7 | Oklahoma |
| 8 | Clemson |
| 9 | Penn State |
| 10 | West Virginia |
| 11 | Kansas |
| 12 | Oregon |
| 13 | Auburn |
| 14 | Arizona State |
| 15 | LSU |
| 16 | Wisconsin |
| 17 | Tennessee |
| 18 | Oregon State |
| 19 | Texas |
| 20 | Wake Forest |
| 21 | Virginia Tech |
| 22 | Oklahoma State |
| 23 | Utah |
| 24 | Purdue |
| 25 | Fresno State |
Blogpoll Notes
Where the hell is Northwestern?
Left them out. In a direct 180 from Monday's post, I'm going with the Jedi mind trick ("you won't run the OOC table, you won't run the OOC table") in hopes of giving the Cats every chance to win. Why "officially" jinx them with my first ever vote? Relax, they will be in soon. Very soon. Unless, of course...NOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Big Ten Love/He Hate Me
Yes, Ohio State gets the nod as any of us who follow them on a weekly basis know the national media passe factor towards the Buckeyes is a big no-no as THIS was the year they've been gunning for all along as the title-worthy season. Even without Gholston, they are scary. That being said only Penn State (9), Wisconsin (16) and Purdue (24) got the LTP nod from our fair conference. I simply couldn't ink Illinois in - you may say blahhhh - bias - I ask can an 0-1 team be in the top 25? The Missouri performance will either earn them in or keep them out. To the mysterious love being shown to Iowa and Michigan State at this stage by several reputable outfits, I just don't buy it. Purdue has been completely overlooked by everyone and they have several of the recipe elements for Big Ten success - including the underrated Curtis Painter. Of course, I cast my ballot and RB Jaycen Taylor promptly injured his knee and Penn State's DT, Devon Still is out 8-10 weeks with a broken ankle, so perhaps consider yourself lucky if I did not vote your team in!
Texas Love/Hate
MGoBlog nailed it with Texas Tech, citing many of us are on the bandwagon because of a few name skilled positions, but this was the one vote of wishful thinking I cast. Outside of the Cats, I find myself searching for Red Raiders games because they are so fun to watch. As for Texas, my all-to-intimate knowledge thanks to the in-laws has led me to rank the Longhorns lower than most as the Lou Holtzian "we're gonna be off" jedi mind tricks are in full effect.
Consider This...
When was the last time you actually expected Northwestern to have a better overall record then Miami, Michigan, Florida State and Texas. Add it to the old-school "sign of the apocalypse" conversations I mentioned from my college days.
Status Quo
Other than the Purdue vote, the Texas Tech ranking and perhaps the Wisconsin down-grading, not too many surprises in my votes. Clemson intrigues me with James Davis and explosive CJ Spiller as a two-headed monster, but then again they did last year. Is it me or does the ACC get no bad ink, worse, any ink, when it comes to football.
The Michigan Effect
No, its not because Brian, the host is a Michigan man, but I couldn't resist picking Utah (and not Michigan) to sneak in the top 25. Admittedly, they are the one team I have little viewer recall from last year, but I've been sucked into the Applachian State repeat karma. Last year I predicted a single-digit win for Michigan but was touting how much trouble they'd have, this year I have the same gut instinct. The Utes were an enigma last year, but are building off a 9-4 season, run the spread and will have the advantage of playing Michigan before the Wolverines are able to get any kind of RichRod game experience under their belt. The sad part is it will still be considered an upset despite the fact I've got the Utes ranked and Big Blue not.
Notable Omission(s)
The one name you'll find on nearly every top 25 list that is not in mine is BYU. I was flip-flopping on choosing one or the other and was put over the top on the Utes by my conviction they will upset Michigan in the opener.
Let me know your thoughts on the first ballot. I'm curious to get your take on who I'm missing and who I overrated in your opinion.
4 comments:
Way to represent, LTP. Like your picks. SOme of them are daring. By the way, is this Chase Daniel thing the real deal? Was last year a fluke? #5 is pretty kind... I'm expecting a let down year from Mizzou.
LTP - quick, start voting for EVERYONE on our schedule....it's not too late for, say, Juice Williams to need Tommy John surgery, or Laurinitis to blow a knee, or the Michigan D-Line to suffer epidemic appendicitis, or Iowa's entire offense to be arrested for selling crystal meth....
Am I the only person NOT drinking the Penn State Kool-Aide?
I just don't see that team being top 20 caliber, let alone top 10
@thomas - I feel that way about EVERY Big Ten team not named Ohio State. No joke. When I play the schedule game-by-game predictions I keep ending up with Penn State in the 2-slot.
Post a Comment