Monday, August 18, 2008






AP Rankings Released

by Mr. W

The college rankings have come out and the AP poll has 5 SEC teams in the top 10. The SEC is getting a big boost as a conference due to the fact that the have the winningest group of head coaches in the country. However, with regard to the rest of the rankings I have a hard time putting too much weight behind this initial poll. First of all pre season ranking has always been a little suspect in my eyes. With only several practices and inter squad scrimmages under their belts the evaluation process is based highly on hype and returning players. Second of all after last years rendition of musical chairs with the top 5 spots the idea that any prediction this far out will be totally accurate is far fetched. The perennial USC, Ohio State, Florida and LSU are of course lurking around the top. Not astonishing, these teams have proven track records and are legacy programs with several returning experienced players. The teams I am interested in seeing if they can actually hold up to the hype are Missouri ranked at its highest preseason ranking, at No. 6. Pittsburgh breaking the Top 25, who I predict, will most likely drop out of the ranks in the first few weeks of conference play. Finally, it will be interesting to see if No. 8 West Virginia and new head coach Bill Stewart can ride in the wake of Rich Rodriguez and keep the team playing at the recent year’s level.

I won’t deny that I am a little bitter at the fact the Michigan received nearly 50 less points than No. 25 Pittsburgh, but I do agree that this team will need to prove itself. With a walk on QB accompanying a true freshman in the backfield, combined with a new offense for the entire team to learn, the road schedule, not to mention the conference schedule could eat these guys up.

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