NCAAF
It's that time again... Time to grade your favorite experts and their votes in the numerous polls. Even better? This week, we should be getting all the votes released in the AP, Coaches, and Harris Polls.
Coaches Poll: Jim Tressel
First, though, I want to say that I think what Jim Tressel did - not casting his vote in the Coaches Poll - was a good move. With the actual votes being released in the final tally, you don't want to look biased one way or another, especially when the drama around #2 is so large. I think he might still have cast his vote had USC won. There was little doubt that USC was going to be #2 if they had beaten the Bruins. But that didn't happen and Tressel showed class in not directly involving himself in the controversy. It is a shame that this might cost him his vote in the poll.
Grade: A+
AP: Susan Miller Degnan - Miami Herald
You can't fault her for voting Florida #2. She has to go to work everyday and sell papers, and it doesn't pay to upset your readers. But...
7. Auburn
8. USC
9. Notre Dame
10. Boise State
11. Oklahoma
Did I miss something? Didn't Oklahoma just win the Big XII? 21-7? I know they have two losses, but ranking them below Auburn, ND, and Boise State is a little out of whack, especially when the Sooners finished 7th when all the votes were counted.
Grade: D
AP: David Jones - Florida Today
Something in the water in Florida.
6. USC
7. Louisville
8. West Virginia
9. Boise State
10. Auburn
11. Oklahoma
At least he realized that the Sooners were better than Notre Dame.
Grade: C-
AP: Mark Tupper - Decatur Herald
#11 Wisconsin
That's it. His poll otherwise doesn't look too bad, but 11? And below SC, Arkansas, Auburn, and Boise State.
Grade: B-
AP: Jason Whitlock
Oh, Jason, still up to your old tricks... Whitlock was a Florida supporter.
#4 Oklahoma
#14 Wisconsin
#17 Boise State
#18 Nebraska
#19 Texas
Wackiness. And how do you rank Nebraska above Texas when the Longhorns beat them, beat Oklahoma who beat them, and have the better record?
Grade: D
AP: Kirk Herbstreit
So this week, Herbie got a little criticism from the Ombudsman for ESPN that he should rethink his vote in the AP. I don't know if that is right or not, since he probably watches more ball than the other voters, and there are other ESPN/ABC voters on the panel too. However this is too good.
#2 Michigan - Didn't I see Herbie on ESPN saying that he thought the BCS got it right with Florida in the title game? Then how does he vote Michigan #2 in his own vote?
#5 USC - They lost, but apparently the cheerleaders still looked nice on television.
Grade: See Me
Wow, lots of craziness here. Visiting Editor's Decision: We are going to have multiple articles on this today. Next up.. the Coaches. Check out all the AP votes, and let me know who your turkey is.
12/4/06 | fxdirect
That's a good point. Without the championship on the line, the voters were able to be more objective in their answer.
That is exactly why the AP left the BCS...
12/4/06 | Seth | 301 respect
I understand that way of thinking, but I think then that Herbstreit should say that he still voted Michigan as #2. I am guessing that a lot of people don't even know he is a voter in the AP.
And the AP doesn't decide the BCS game anymore, so he could basically do what he wants.
Maybe be it should be of note that the AP poll had Florida ahead of Michigan by 3 points (1529 - 1526). Easily a slimmer margin than the two polls that effect the BCS rankings.
12/4/06 | fxdirect
I understand that way of thinking, but I think then that Herbstreit should say that he still voted Michigan as #2. I am guessing that a lot of people don't even know he is a voter in the AP.
And the AP doesn't decide the BCS game anymore, so he could basically do what he wants.
12/4/06 | fxdirect
I was going to put a couple guys who had Wake weird, then I realized that would be too hard.
In the final AP poll.
14. Virginia Tech
15. Wake Forest
Who just won the ACC again?
I realize Tech gave Wake one of their two losses, but I don't care. They just won the ACC title game, they're going to the Orange Bowl, they get to be ranked higher than Virginia Tech. Period.
Yeah, the ACC was tough for a few people. I think we all have a hard time trying to figure out where to rank them all. I honestly do think that Virginia Tech was the better team, so I can't blame the final tally coming out that way.
And remember, last year, Florida State was the ACC representative, and they were less than impressive. They were just good enough to win their division, and shock Va. Tech in the championship game. Luckily, they gave us a good show in the Bowl against Penn State. Winning a conference championship game doesn't always mean you were the best team in the conference, and I think this is one case where that is true.
12/4/06 |
Pat
|
4513 respect
In Herbstreet's defense, I also think that Michigan is #2, but they got it right by giving Florida a shot. Michigan is a better team IMO, but they don't deserve another crack at OSU. They already lost their chance, and now it's Florida's turn.
12/4/06 | Seth | 301 respect
I was going to put a couple guys who had Wake weird, then I realized that would be too hard.
In the final AP poll.
14. Virginia Tech
15. Wake Forest
Who just won the ACC again?
I realize Tech gave Wake one of their two losses, but I don't care. They just won the ACC title game, they're going to the Orange Bowl, they get to be ranked higher than Virginia Tech. Period.