Once more, I am doing the Blogpoll. Here is my ballot.
| Rank | Team | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ohio State | |
| 2 | Notre Dame | |
| 3 | Texas | |
| 4 | Auburn | |
| 5 | West Virginia | |
| 6 | Southern Cal | |
| 7 | Louisiana State | |
| 8 | Florida | |
| 9 | Oklahoma | |
| 10 | Oregon | |
| 11 | Georgia | |
| 12 | Louisville | |
| 13 | Michigan | |
| 14 | Miami (Florida) | |
| 15 | Iowa | |
| 16 | Nebraska | |
| 17 | Cal | |
| 18 | Clemson | |
| 19 | Texas Tech | |
| 20 | TCU | |
| 21 | Tennessee | |
| 22 | Florida State | |
| 23 | Virginia Tech | |
| 24 | Arizona State | |
| 25 | Toledo |
1. Ohio St. — I don’t think there is a clear #1 team going into this season, but someone has to be at the top. Issues with all of the teams in one way or another. Yes, I have big questions about how good their defense will be. I also have questions about their offense. Tressel has shown a reluctance to loosen up the offense at the start of the season. Playing things a little too close to his sweatervest. OSU gets the early judgment as to whether it deserves this ranking with the Texas game.
2. ND — Another team with big questions on the D. No real questions about the offense (unfortunately). Would love to put them lower, but…
3. Texas — If Vince Young was back, a no doubt #1 team. The QB situation seems murky. Still a very good team in most other places.
4. Auburn — I like Irons for the Heisman. This is a very good team. The SEC schedule is very favorable as all their away games (Miss. St., SC, Ole Miss and ‘Bama) are against weaker teams. They get Florida, LSU and Georgia at home and miss Tennessee completely. Their non-con may hurt them again in the BCS, though.
5. WVU — There’s no reason that WVU can’t run the table and be playing for the national championship. They have a very good team, their lines are excellent. I have to give grudging props to Rich Rodriguez for the way he has carefully built the Hoopies, and is clearly an excellent coach. He squeezes much of the talent from every kid he gets. Yet, echoes of 2004 are still lingering.
6. USC — Still the best team in the PAC 10. Lots of talent.
7. LSU — Plenty of talent. Big early test at Auburn.
8. Florida –Â Questions about the O-line, and depth at the secondary.
9. Oklahoma — A top flight defense, stud tailback, but a shaky O-line and slight issues at QB.
10. Oregon — Yes, the Nike Crash Test Dummies. The pick that most will question. I think that Oregon is one of the sleeper teams this year. The good news is that the truth will be known early with games at Fresno State and hosting Oklahoma on consecutive weekends in September. The offense should have plenty of weapons and a good O-line. The big issue will be how the D-line plays.
11. Georgia — Who is the QB on this team?
12. Louisville — I really wonder about the defense. Otherwise, this team is loaded on offense.
13. Michigan — On talent, sure. On achievement, should be lower.
14. Miami — Seems about right.
15. Iowa — I’d rather err on the side of overrating a Kirk Ferentz coached team than underrating.
16. Nebraska — Perhaps Bill Callahan knows what he’s doing?
17. Cal — Sure. Why not.
18. Clemson — Either this or they will flame out spectacularly.
19. Texas Tech — Arr! Arr! A pirate says, arr! (If you have a kid under the age of 5 you might know the song.)
20. TCU — Obligatory non-BCS team slot
21. Tennessee — Mmm. Donuts.
22. Florida St. — Daggummit!
23. Virginia Tech — Can they keep enough players on the field and out of prison?
24. Arizona St. — Can they play defense?
25. Toledo — That no one has really tried to lure Tom Amstutz from his alma mater is stunning.
Others considered (roughly in order): Utah, UCF, Texas A&M, South Carolina, PSU, Arkansas, Boise St., Fresno St., Akron.
Now, I still have until tomorrow morning to change my ballot. If you want to make an argument (not simply question my sanity) for or against certain teams being included, excluded or moved, I will consider making changes.
(cough…)
…sorry… I drank too much of the local kool-aid…