“We were losing a bunch of one-goal games, and now we’re able to pull these games out,” Hunwick said. “It’s huge in the second half to know you can play in games like that.”
Blogpoll Draft Ballot: Week 1
Filed under:
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| Rank | Team | Delta |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida | |
| 2 | Texas | |
| 3 | Southern Cal | |
| 4 | Alabama |  1 |
| 5 | Brigham Young | |
| 6 | Penn State | 5 |
| 7 | Oklahoma State | 5 |
| 8 | California |  1 |
| 9 | Boise State | 11 |
| 10 | TCU | 7 |
| 11 | Miami (Florida) | 4 |
| 12 | Georgia Tech | 1 |
| 13 | North Carolina | 11 |
| 14 | Ohio State | 5 |
| 15 | Cincinnati | |
| 16 | Notre Dame | |
| 17 | Virginia Tech | 11 |
| 18 | Utah | |
| 19 | Mississippi | 9 |
| 20 | Oklahoma | 16 |
| 21 | Tennessee | |
| 22 | Georgia | 14 |
| 23 | LSU | 5 |
| 24 | Kansas | 2 |
| 25 | Oregon | |
| Last week's ballot | ||
Dropped Out: Iowa (#14), Illinois (#16), Nebraska (#19), Pittsburgh (#21), Clemson (#23).
Major changes:
- Boise shoots up the poll, and I didn't really intend for North Carolina to do the same, but it appears as though it has happened.
- Virginia Tech drops on the basis of "I was ranking them because I thought Tyrod Taylor would finally produce," and that assumption did not hold true.
- Oregon is still in the poll, though I think there's a possibility they really, really suck. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt for one more week, on the basis that Boise might just be pretty good.
- Ohio State and Ole MIss drop for being unimpressive in wins (don't let the final of that Ole Miss game fool you: Nutt was just running up the score at the end. That was a close game well into the third quarter).
What looks amiss? I'll admit this was kind of rushed, so there are probably lots of problems with it. For the first couple weeks, I'm taking pre-season expectations into account, to go along with a resume ranking.
September 8th, 2009 at 9:35 AM | 
I get that
I get that
September 8th, 2009 at 9:51 AM |
They didn't look great
They didn't look great
They didn't look great against Washington...who went 0-12 last year. Its probably a case of 1st week jitters, but until they win more that might be fair.
Excellence is Good
September 8th, 2009 at 10:08 AM |
that sort of presumes
that sort of presumes
that Washington didn't get any better despite firing their coach, who kind of has a history of accumulating decent talent but not knowing what to do with it.
and it totally disregards Jake Locker's absence for the majority of last season.
September 8th, 2009 at 9:36 AM |
if Miami (YTM) is #11
if Miami (YTM) is #11
if Miami (YTM) is #11 shouldn't FSU be ranked? At least ahead of Oregon, IMHE.
No question, Jim.
September 8th, 2009 at 9:37 AM |
Yeah, Oregon was going to be
Yeah, Oregon was going to be
Yeah, Oregon was going to be one that I disagree with. FSU played a heck of a game, and I'd say they should definitely be ranked.
September 8th, 2009 at 9:53 AM |
I was going to say the same
I was going to say the same
I was going to say the same thing -- FSU played them tightly last night. 11 for the 'canes might be a bit high as well, hard to tell about their defense from that game.
September 8th, 2009 at 9:39 AM |
Tim
Tim
Hey Tim! I gotta give you some props on the Canes. Not only were you one of the only people putting Miami on your initial ballot, but you had them in the poll over Florida State.
Nice work. Jacory Harris sure looks like a playmaker and that whole team is loaded with sophomores and redshirt freshmen. Very exciting.
A big game a week from Thursday: GTech at Miami. A top 10 spot on your ballot may be up for grabs.
One question......did you give any thoughts about putting Cincy in there. I can buy leaving Oregon in there given they were on the road at a place nobody ever wins at, but I think the Bearcats should in there over KU.
Otherwise, keep up the good work and enjoy the games.
September 8th, 2009 at 9:53 AM |
Cincy is number 15 if I'm
Cincy is number 15 if I'm
Cincy is number 15 if I'm reading this correctly.
September 8th, 2009 at 10:29 AM |
Whoops
Whoops
My glaucoma got in the way, and I didnt see it.
I have medicine at home to cure it.
September 8th, 2009 at 9:39 AM |
Georgia
Georgia
Georgia dropped WAY too much...they lost a game they were expected to lose and held it close for a long time.
“I am going to treat you all the same. Like Dogs.” - Bo Schembechler
September 8th, 2009 at 9:44 AM |
Notre Dame #16?
Notre Dame #16?
I think that's a tad high for our lady. I don't know if I drop them out, but 22 or so seems better to me. And if you really believe that Michigan has a shot at them on Saturday, don't you have to have Michigan ranked? Just out of curiosity, where do you have Michigan "ranked" 26th? 30th? 40th?...
I'm selling Oregon. I'd put MSU ahead of them. I'd put Michigan ahead of them. I'm sure if I thought long and hard about it, I could name another half-dozen teams I'd put in front of them.
The beatings will continue until morale improves.
September 8th, 2009 at 11:03 AM |
A whole lotta #15's
A whole lotta #15's
That is what I saw from the games this past weekend. A lotta #15's to be sorted out. There is congestion in the middle and over the next 3-4 weeks we still start to separate a true top ten from the rest of the field. By my eye OSU, VaTech, LSU, etc, all drop below top tier consideration based on what I saw. If the Huskies do not fumble at the goal line in the first half that is potentially an entirely different outcome. LSU's D and O were unimpressive given the opponent. Teams like ND, UM, Cal (very impressive), MSU looked a few notches better than expected. The end result, a whole lot of teams swirling around #15 give or take.
I would welcome others take on my one other thought: Boise St. did NOT impress me week one. That was a horrible game. Sure their D seemed inspired, but I thought the Ducks playcalling and execution had more to do with their demise on offense than some inspired D: Lateral runs in the endzone, STARING at your one receiver. They played terrible. And Boise St., for all of their offensive firepower missed chance after chance and kept letting an Oregon team that was horrific hang in. They looked like a strong non-BCS team. Nothing more, nothing less...#15.
I wouldn't say I've be "missing" work Bob...
September 8th, 2009 at 9:44 AM |
Couple things. Not sure Penn
Couple things. Not sure Penn
Couple things. Not sure Penn St. deserves to jump five after a victory over Akron while Cal drops one after smoking Maryland. Secondly, TCU had a first round bye, not sure enough teams lost/looked bad to warrant a jump of 7 for them.
September 8th, 2009 at 9:53 AM |
Tim
Tim
Do you and Brian collaborate on this ballot, or has he given up his spot in his own poll entirely?
September 8th, 2009 at 9:55 AM |
why does Nebraska drop out after winning 49-3?
why does Nebraska drop out after winning 49-3?
FAU won the "neutral site" Motor City Bowl over CMU last year, so they're not some complete garbage opponent.
September 8th, 2009 at 9:54 AM |
The Horned Frogs move up 7
The Horned Frogs move up 7
The Horned Frogs move up 7 spots for sitting at home picking their butts?
Also: da U looked pretty decent. I really want to see Jacory Harris at least get an invite to New York at some point in his career. I wanna know if he goes for the Leopard print or fuzzy purple (or both?).
September 8th, 2009 at 10:09 AM |
Fringe teams:
Fringe teams:
- Nebraska was ranked and took care of their FBS opponent.
- Baylor beat a BCS opponent (Wake Forest) convincingly. Griffin is good.
- Kentucky also looked awesome against Miami(Not That Miami)
- Florida State may have lost, but they looked impressive in the loss
- Navy - see Florida State
September 8th, 2009 at 10:14 AM |
Cal should be above PSU.
Cal should be above PSU.
Cal should be above PSU. What they did to Maryland was criminal.
Georgia showed no offense outside that first drive and shouldn't be above LSU; despite the fact UW outplayed LSU, LSU still won.
Mizzou should be on there, at least above Oregon.
I don't think you can drop Nebraska for smoking FAU, and raise up UT for beating WKU in WKU's first FBS game.
September 8th, 2009 at 1:08 PM |
You have it right, Shock.
You have it right, Shock.
No way Cal moves down after this week - essentially dismantled Maryland (although not too difficult given their green offensive line).
September 8th, 2009 at 10:20 AM |
VT
VT
I don't think Virginia Tech deserves to drop so far. Even though they only had 150 yards to Bama's 500, they were still in the game late into the 4th quarter. When you consider their 243 yards of kickoff returns, VT had 409 all-purpose yards compared to Bama's 632. I agree they deserve a drop, but I don't know if I see them behind Notre Dame and Cincy.
September 8th, 2009 at 10:39 AM |
Bottom Half
Bottom Half
The top half (besides BYU) looks good to me. I don't understand the dismissal of Pitt (38-3 W), Nebraska (49-3 W) and Clemson (37-14 W). I'd keep those teams ahead of the Utes (sloppy W against a very poor D1 team) and Oregon (L/ fisticuffs/ loss of top RB for season). BYU got fortunate with the loss of Bradford and are a better fit at #15, IMO.
Brewer. Wolverine.
September 8th, 2009 at 10:43 AM |
I'd get rid of Oregon. They
I'd get rid of Oregon. They
I'd get rid of Oregon. They got trounced in the run game (their bread and butter) and lost their top RB for the season.
September 8th, 2009 at 10:50 AM |
Add me in to those who think
Add me in to those who think
Add me in to those who think you should drop Oregon. No idea why you'd drop Nebraska when they won 49-3 against an FBS team that isn't horrid -- their QB is the Sun Belt's preseason offensive player of the year, and they did beat CMU in their bowl game last year as well. I'd rather see Nebraska in there over Oregon or even Kansas.
September 8th, 2009 at 10:58 AM |
Well, it's the first time I've ever seen
Well, it's the first time I've ever seen
Mountain West has the most teams in the top 10. Not saying that that's a bad thing or a good thing. Just different.
- I'm thinking TCU a little high at the moment (more like 18-22 for me)
- I wouldn't have dinged LSU as much as you, however. Seattle is a hell of a place to play, whether pro or collegiate. With any semblance of competency from coaching, a trip to UW will never be anything other than damn difficult.
- As bad as Illinois might be, I'd think Missouri would at least be worthy of a 20's ranking. They were impressive. Or maybe Illinois made them look impressive. Or maybe vice versa. Whatever, it's early season ranking.
Codeine...bourbon...
September 8th, 2009 at 11:16 AM |
Tennessee in? wow.
Tennessee in? wow.
Tennessee in? wow.
September 8th, 2009 at 11:22 AM |
also, I'm not yet ready
also, I'm not yet ready
to assume that what we saw last night between FSU and Miami wasn't Michigan-Purdue 2008. I'll wait until they both play someone other than each other before put either one in the top 10 or 15.
September 8th, 2009 at 1:27 PM |
ND & PSU
ND & PSU
Not sure how you can move PSU up five spots for taking care of business against a cream puff and leave ND at the same spot as last week. Either move both or neither.
And if this poll is strictly based upon resume, Western Michigan is a better team than Akron, so why aren't our Wolverines ranked ahead of PSU as we beat a tougher opponent? Until we lose to someone, we are an undefeated team and our ranking should be based on who we have beaten. For that matter, we beat a tougher team than Florida beat. Or is it bad form to be a shameless homer?
September 8th, 2009 at 1:49 PM |
Big props for putting Cincy
Big props for putting Cincy
Big props for putting Cincy in, if only for the fact that they're likely to dominate the Big East and unranked teams in the BCS is ew.
When your team is winning, be ready to be tough, because winning can make you soft. On the other hand, when your team is losing, stick by them. Keep believing. -- Bo Schembechler
September 8th, 2009 at 4:02 PM |
Re: Notre Dame v. Michigan's
Re: Notre Dame v. Michigan's
Re: Notre Dame v. Michigan's rankings - It's a resume ranking, not a power poll. Nevada was expected to be better than Western, and Notre Dame beat them more convincingly than we beat Western. That said, they didn't look as good doing it as the score would indicate, so maybe I have them just a tiny bit too high.
LSU's QB looked like he'd be a better fit at one of the service academies, but with all the other playmakers they have I don't know that I'd call them the 23rd best team in the country.