Thoughts on the final AP poll
The final college football polls are out, and just sorting out the Big 12 is tough. I would always vote via conference finish, but that’s just me. I would rank the Big 12: OU, Mizzou, Kansas. I haven’t seen the individual coaches’ ballots yet, but Bob Stoops said he likely would rank it: Kansas, OU, Mizzou. The actual AP finish was: Mizzou, KU, OU.
So there’s no concrete way of deciding. How much do you factor in the bowls, where OU laid an egg against West Virginia, Kansas showed up very well against ACC champ Virginia and Missouri routed inferior Arkansas? How can you not consider the conference race?
Anyway, here is the final poll and my thoughts on each team’s position:
1. LSU: An obvious No. 1. The best record this side of Kansas, which is not a contender, plus both LSU losses came via triple overtime. The Bayou Bengals beat the Big Ten champ, the ACC champ and Tennessee, Florida and Auburn. LSU is a worthy champ.
2. Georgia: An overrated team. This is a season built upon two victories: Auburn in Athens, Ga., and Florida on a neutral field in Jacksonville. I don’t understand the fascination with Georgia.
3. USC: Clearly the best team out there to challenge LSU. The Trojans played a good schedule, losing only at Oregon — when the Ducks had their quarterback and were as good as anybody — and at home to Stanford in one of those unexplainable verdicts.
4. Missouri: An excellent team, but if there’s one thing that was proven in this wild college football season, it’s this. Oklahoma is better than Mizzou.
5. Ohio State: I don’t want to hammer the Buckeyes too badly, but if you’re serious about your poll, and you’re looking for ways to fit in some worthy teams high in the rankings, it’s clear that Ohio State should be dropped into the second five.
6. West Virginia: Vastly underrated. Still. Lose two games, both without your quarterback? The Mountaineers belong at No. 3.
7. Kansas: KU played a two-game schedule, both on neutral fields, and went 1-1. There’s something to be said for that.
8. Oklahoma: The pollsters made OU pay for its listless performance in the Fiesta Bowl. Which is justifiable. But the Big 12 title — in a year in which four Big 12 teams made the top 10 — shouldn’t be forgotten.
9. Virginia Tech: OK, explain to me why everyone still is thrilled withi V-Tech. Hasn’t done a darned thing all year except split with Boston College.
10. Texas & Boston College: Somebody’s got to be No. 10.
Put it all together, and here’s how I would rank them:
1. LSU
2. USC
3. West Virginia
4. Georgia
5. Oklahoma
6. Missouri
7. Kansas
8. Ohio State
9. Tennessee (did far more than Virginia Tech)
10. Virginia Tech
Berry Tramel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal radio network, including AM-640 and FM-98.1. You can e-mail him here and follow him on Twitter @BerryTramel.
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Comments
Berry,
I agree with your assessment of all of this. I was not excited about last nights game at all.
I think its a real issue that a team comes out 7.5 weeks later and tries to play competative football. It is a joke. If anything needs to change, it is that.
Tired of the SEC is better than everyone else thing………Tired of TOSU still getting respect after such a loss when OU gets dropped so far. Which sets up TOSU opening in next years poll anywhere from 2-5, which sets up a scenario like we had this year. Maybe they should just have a bye week….11 times. Which would still bring them in around 2 at the end of the year. They need to get kicked to the curb for awhile until the beef up their schedule and play a conference championship…..or at least an extra late season game.
I understand that the PAC Ten and Big 11 are the linchpins behind any progressions in this system. But the PAC 10 at least, plays games late. USC is primed going into Bowl season. The Big 11 champ has 7.5 weeks of rust on. sucks to see them (and as of late OU) playing for anything.
I have given my thoughts on OU and others see the same thing. It is no secret. If Stoops is really about winning championships, then we will see the adjustment in attitude. If not, get real comfortable with winning the Big 12, losing a couple of lack-of-focus games and losing a bowl game. That is the current pattern…it has been established and it is the area to be addressed.
Leadership, greater depth and mostly…the kids themselves will make the changes. Until then, they should mothball all the trophies and close the Switzer Center. Or at least not allow the players in there, til they want to prove they belong.
You all get it……..overboard for sure…..but I can’t stand the blueblood attitude that you are somebody when you aren’t. Prove it…..and consistently. I still don’t want to hear about it after that. Be proud…..be humble and be hungry.
Record highs here still….sun is out….and i don’t care about Roger Clemens….by the way. Have you seen a bigger circus then steroids, MLB (which I love), lawyers, Congressmen and just plain stupidity. Pass some guidelines and get on with it.
I have often wondered over the years, why the IOC was so tough on athletes….least they know what they can’t do. Our major sports could take a lesson.
Later!
Jeff
Berry, your forum makes me want to rant. I apologize, but I do always feel better after. So thanks!
I agree with ranking the Big 12 teams in that order, but you have to give the Jayhawks more credit. They were unbeaten on the road, including a win in Boulder — something the Sooners were not able to accomplish.
Typical Tramel/OU suckup/coverup/BS.
Listless performance?
OU got their arses kicked, got outcoached again, and totally embarrassed themselves and the rest of the Big 12 with another loser performance on the national stage.
When is Berry Tramel going to grow a pair and go after Stoops or Granger like he does Gundy?
My guess is never, because Tramel is a Gooner lackey and Stoops suckup/arse-kisser.
Tramel leaving OU at #5 just goes to show everyone what a freakin’ loser/brown-nose he is.
You’re pathetic, Tramel.
The older you get, the less credible you become.
Well, better get busy making up those Sooner excuse stories again, BT.
The day the Sooners stop celebrating their conference championship for a month and prepare for a bowl game, then the four game BCS skid will end. I am an OSU fan and I cannot believe the change in the OU mindset over the last twenty years. The Switzer-coached Sooners celebrated national championships and were disappointed with anything less.
I don’t necessarily disagree with your rankings but the problem with OU is reinforced by the ranking with which you rewarded them. They have been overrated in the polls and their own minds ever since the lucky national championship Stoops fell into with Mike Leach’s offense and quarterback in 2000. They have never been a real threat to win it again since and I predict that Stoops will never win another. He is great at making OU fans believe in the greatness of their team but the truth is that OU is a notch below the contenders who have more talent and depth, like USC, LSU, GA and FLA. He will never support a playoff because that would truly prevent another NC for OU in his lifetime.
I totally agree with your rankings Berry. If OU can ever change their attitude that they have developed over the past few years that Malcolm Kelly preached to some fans coming back from Arizona. He told them that the Fiesta Bowl didn’t matter b/c it was not a national championship game. Well, it is still a championship game. It may not matter on a national stage but it’s still a game that should have and would have been won had OU showed up to play like they did against Mizzou. Stoops had better start with an attitude adjustment b/c if he doesn’t, Stoops could be out of a job. He is a great coach but he has got to get everything out of his players and right now he isn’t doing that.