Our weekly college football feature is back, where we take a look at each of the Associated Press ballots. Our mission is to hold these "experts" accountable, in hopes of improving the AP Poll in some small way. We'll be calling out all those writers who show far too much homerism to the team they cover. We'll point out those we don't think watched a single game, and those ballots that simply don't make any sense. And, occasionally we might even give someone a pat on the back when credit is due.
The AP Top 25 came out this afternoon with a change at the top. USC has vaulted over Georgia thanks to their strong offensive performance on the road at Virginia. The Bulldogs certainly didn't do anything wrong, but we like this move, showing some willingness to move teams around even if they win. Another observation I simply don't understand is launching Utah intop the Top 25. We know it's Meeeeechigan, but the Wolverines weren't even ranked in the preseason poll, so what was so impressive about the victory over a team without a quarterback?
Without further adieu, picking on the pollsters shall begin (click on the links to view the entire ballot) ...
WORST BALLOT: Taylor Zarzour WPTF 680 AM, Raleigh, NC (pictured)Mr. Zarzour is new to the AP Top 25 this year and on week one he proved display why his inclusion was a serious mistake. Ranking a Big Ten team No. 6 is no problem, that team being Wisconsin is. Zarzour followed up his terribly high Badger ranking with the Penn State Nittany Lions at No. 7 and the low and behold the Ohio State at No. 9. Yes, he believes two teams are better than than Ohio State in the Big Ten.
That was just the start of this Week 2 debacle. Zarzour launched California all the way up to 11th, Boise State at 12. Hey the Cal Bears played great Saturday night, and a high ranking could be argued. What cannot be defended, is ranking both of these teams ahead of Missouri (15) and Auburn (22).
Capping off this worst ballot was the inclusion of Notre Dame at No. 25. Just terrible.
Running a close second: Mike Ceide WREG TV, Memphis, TN
Nothing frustrates me more than when two teams play head-to-head on a neutral field, with one team clearly displaying they are the better unit, only to see a pollster rank the losing team higher. That's what Mr. Ceide did twice this week.
Apparently, Alabama's beatdown of Clemson was inconsequential to him, ranking the Tigers 14th, yet the Tide 17th. WTF?
Worst yet, Ceide was one of the numerous pollsters to rank Virginia Tech and not East Carolina, despite the loss on Saturday afternoon. Neither team should be ranked, but if you're going to give one some props, at least choose the one who won the game.
Homer Award: Maurice Patton The Tennessean, Nashville, TN
Mr. Patton must have turned Monday night's game off about the same time many of you did. Kevin Craft looked terrible in the first half against Tennessee, but it's true, he did orchestrate a comeback to give UCLA a big upset win. This news was lost on Patton who ranked the Vols at 20th, while not even acknowledging the Bruins existence. Miserable.
Anti-Homer: Adam Van Brinner Savannah Morning News, GA
Hate mail will be arriving tomorrow morning on Adam's desk after the Bulldogs' faithful finds out he ranked Georgia 7th, the lowest of any other pollster. What gives?
What's up with Utah? Ray Ratto San Francisco Chronicle, CA
Our friend Ray must have had extremely high hopes for Michigan football this season. I don't know if we watched different games, but the team I saw in Maize and Blue was unimpressive and not remotely one of the best in the nation. Meanwhile, Utah was barely good enough to get past the Wolverines, giving the ball away twice late in the game to hold on for a 25-23 victory. Beating Michigan in the Big House is worthy of an applause, but a No. 13 ranking is absurd.
More poor examples of the flaws behind the AP Poll...
Bret Bloomquist El Paso Times, TX
Rutgers ranked 20th, yet Fresno State, who flew across the country and handled the Scarlet Knights, were placed two spots behind.
Jon Wilner San Jose Mercury News, CA
I couldn't leave Wilner out. Nothing terribly wrong at all, but Alabama all the way at No. 2 was a little surprising. It should be noted his '07 love South Carolina slid in at 25th.
Molly Yanity Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Another one of the 2007 favorites, Molly provided a ballot that was strongly considered as the worst. She's decided that the loss of Matt Ryan will have no effects on Boston College and ranks the Eagles 8th overall. I'd be willing to listen to her argument that BC belongs in the Top 10, but I'll hear nothing that convinces me they're a better team than the Florida Gators, who she ranked 12th. Kentucky at 21st was also a curious choice.
Erik Hansen South Bend Tribune, IN
Erik deserves mention for ranking Cincinnati 12th (ahead of Wisconsin, Kansas, Texas Tech) and North Carolina, who finished 4-8, 25th.
Tell the pollsters what's up below, and create your own Week 2 Top 25.
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