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ALOST’s Coll. Football Top 25 (Week 4)

Although not in the Top 25, Arizona has been just as impressive as any Pac-12 team so far, led by Heisman candidate running back Ka'Deem Carey (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Although not currently in the Top 25, Arizona has been just as impressive as any Pac-12 team so far in 2013, led by running back and Heisman Trophy candidate Ka’Deem Carey (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

We are just over a month away from the end of Daylight Saving Time, but many fans keeping track of college football this season might want to set their clocks to Pacific Time, and make sure to catch every second of what may prove to be a special season for the Pac-12 Conference.

The league with probably the two most likely candidates to end the seven-year hegemony of the Southeastern Conference has gotten off to a fantastic start, going 23-4 against non-conference opponents this season (8-1 last week, including wins against an SEC team in Tennessee and two ranked Big Ten opponents, Nebraska and Wisconsin). Oregon was still going to be a top 10 team without former head coach Chip Kelly, but its ruthlessness to begin this season is outright scary. Stanford is an established power, and despite the sluggish start to the year, they have proven recently that their best work is ahead of them. Trivia: Did you know the teams with two of the three longest current streaks of appearing in BCS Bowls are the Ducks (four straight) and the Cardinal (three, tied with Wisconsin)?

The heavyweights have one-punch knockout power, but it is the second tier of the Pac-12 that is making the biggest impression for the league, especially last Saturday. UCLA scored 38 unanswered points in its 41-21 hammering of Nebraska in Lincoln. Washington, after smoking Boise State in its opener, won only its third game outside of the Eastern Time Zone this century by defeating Illinois at Soldier Field. And as most fans were asleep (or having last call), Arizona State finished off a bizarre 32-30 win over Wisconsin, putting Todd Graham’s Sun Devils in the national spotlight. That spotlight will only get brighter this weekend, as Arizona State and Stanford meet in a primetime matchup on FOX, arguably the marquee matchup in all of college football this weekend.  In all, seven different Pac-12 schools have been ranked in the Top 25 at one point this season, and Arizona is a couple of wins away from possibly making it eight.  The recent “USC and the nine dwarves” era seems a distant memory.

Enjoy reading our rankings and comments, and as a reminder, here are our six pollsters: Lisa Horne (CFB/NASCAR writer and on-air personality), Basil Mitchell (former TCU and Green Bay Packers RB), T.J. Basalla (super fan, marketing professional, WJPZ Alumni Association President), Matty J. (ThrowTheFlagBlog.com), Adesina Koiki (A Lot Of Sports Talk reporter/writer) and an anonymous staff member at a Division I-FBS school.

 

1.   AlabamaTidelogo  Alabama (147 points, 4 first-place votes)

I still have questions about Alabama, namely their corners and their offensive line. On the other hand, they might only face one more front seven as good as Virginia Tech’s (LSU) and probably won’t face another receiver like Mike Evans. They are definitely beatable but I am sure that they will continue to get better and better as the season goes on. AJ McCarron is a super star. (Anonymous D-1 FBS staffer)

 

2.   295px-OregonDucks.svg  Oregon (143, 1 first-place vote)

Scoring 59 points on the Vols? This loss was Tennessee’s worst setback since a 48-0 defeat to Mississippi State…in 1910. And yes, Oregon has a legit defense. Any questions? (Lisa Horne)

 

3.    299px-Clemson_University_Tiger_Paw_logo.svg  Clemson (137)

Thursday night at N.C. State is a perfect chance for Clemson to “Clemson.” To “Clemson” means to lose to an inferior opponent once you convince the country that you are a legitimate team. If they survive their trip to Raleigh, we might see the first big-time game in Death Valley in years when they host the Seminoles in October. (Anonymous D-1 FBS staffer)

 

4.   Ohio State   Ohio State (119*, 1 first-place vote)

Doesn’t matter who starts at QB, this team can throw up points. That defense though… (T.J. Basalla)

 

5.     StanfordCardinal     Stanford (119)

Had a tough noon game on the East coast versus a triple option team (Army). I think this team is very good, but I also think we will need to get used to efficient victories, not scores that blow us away. (Anonymous D-1 FBS staffer)

 

6.   LSUTigers   LSU (116)

It has been 25 years since Auburn and LSU played in the “Earthquake Game,” a 7-6 win by LSU in Baton Rouge in which a last-minute TD pass caused a raucous celebration that registered as an earthquake on an on-campus seismograph.  Remember the consternation caused by the fact that LSU had to replace seven starters on defense going into this season?  No, you say?  Me neither.  (Adesina Koiki)

7.  FSU_Seminoles.svg   Florida State (114)

I’m just counting down the days until Famous Jameis makes his way to Death Valley (October 19 to be specific). (T.J.)

 

8.  Georgia logo Georgia (105)

While LSU gets a fairly stiff test (Auburn) before coming to Athens next week, the Bulldogs take on North Texas in what should be a glorified scrimmage.  Wins in the next two games, and Georgia’s regular season should have “11-1” written all over it.  And to steal from our fellow pollster, Todd Gurley = Beast mode!  (Adesina/Anonymous D-1 FBS staffer)

 

A two-TD win over Kentucky did not do much to silence the detractors questioning how good Teddy Bridgewater's Cardinals really are (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
A two-TD win over Kentucky did not do much to silence detractors questioning how good Teddy Bridgewater’s Cardinals really are (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

9.  Louisville_Cardinals.svg  Louisville (98)

Louisville and Teddy Bridgewater struggled against the Kentucky Wildcats. They were able to win due to superior talent but this does not bode well for the future. (Matty J.)

 

10.  UCLA_athletics_text_logo.svg UCLA (92)

That’s right, the Bruins. UCLA thoroughly dominated Nebraska in Lincoln. The Cornhuskers’ black shirts had shades of blue all over them. The Bruins are for real. (Lisa)

Went into the Sea of Red and demolished Nebraska. Linebacker Anthony Barr gets all of the press on defense (and rightfully so), but big freshman defensive end Eddie Vanderdoes looks like a star in the making. (Anonymous D-1 FBS staffer)

 

11. Oklahoma StateOklahoma State (83)

Their game against Lamar confused me. They scored 59 points without really moving the ball or forcing turnovers. (Anonymous D-1 FBS staffer)

 

12. TAMU-Logo Texas A&M (79)

Johnny Manziel and his wide receiver corps shined versus Alabama but ultimately came up short. There is no shame to losing to the No. 1-ranked team in the country. Don’t count TAMU out of the SEC West race yet. (Matty J.)

 

13.  MichiganWolverines Michigan (76)

As a Michigan fan, can we PLEASE forget about this game and pretend it never happened? PRETTY PLEASE?!?!?! This game will end up being one of two things for Michigan: the necessary wake-up call/reality check for a young team that will re-focus them the rest of the way, or a sign that the interior of this team (OL and DL) is too weak to compete in the B1G and nationally.  (T.J.)

 

14.   Miami_Hurricanes_logo.svg  Miami, Fla. (73)

Want a reason to keep track of the Hurricanes’ game this week versus the football power that is Savannah State University?  Miami is favored by 59.5 points.  Even you want to know if Miami can cover the spread. (And if you actually do want to know that, then you might need to get help for your gambling fix.)  (Adesina)

 

15.   South Carolina   South Carolina (67)

The scoreline doesn’t show how they dominated Vanderbilt. They held the Commodores to 2-for-12 on 3rd down and were up 35-10 on them until 15 late points. Connor Shaw is a very underrated quarterback. The guy does nothing but win. (Anonymous D-1 FBS staffer)

The Gamecocks continue to be a team without an identity. After losing at Georgia, you would think South Carolina would be more fired up to host Vanderbilt. Meh. (Lisa)

 

16.   OU-Logo    Oklahoma (59)

The Sooners had a much better week against Tulsa, winning 51-20. A date with Notre Dame in two weeks suddenly doesn’t look so intimidating. (Lisa)

 

Art Briles' Bears are averaging 40 PPG since the beginning of 2012.  In comparison, Oregon's PPG average is 40.0 (Ronald Matinez/Getty Images)
Art Briles’ Bears are averaging 47.8 PPG since the start of 2012, just shy of Oregon’s 51.8 PPG average in that same stretch (Getty Images)

17.   173px-Baylor_University_Athletics_(logo).svg   Baylor (56)

When Baylor and Louisiana-Monroe met last September, an early-season Heisman candidate (Warhawks QB Kolton Browning) helped keep the game beyond competitive in a 47-42 Bears victory.  This time around, another early season Heisman hopeful (Bears RB Lache Seastrunk) should help turn this encounter into a laugher.  (Adesina)

 

18.   NorthwesternWildcats  Northwestern (52)

They’re a VERY good team this season. However we won’t fully know how good until OSU comes to town. (T.J.)

 

19. 360px-University_of_Washington_Block_W_logo.svg Washington (44)

I want to be sold on the Huskies, but I am holding out until conference play.  After Idaho State, U-Dub will be put through the Pac-12 meat grinder in the next month (vs. Arizona, @ Stanford, vs. Oregon, @ Arizona State).  With that said, QB Keith Price and RB Bishop Sankey (the nation’s rushing leader) form one of the best, if not the most underrated, offensive backfields in both the Pac-12 and in the nation.  (Adesina)

 

20. 410px-Ole_Miss_rebels_Logo.svg  Ole Miss (28)

Get a week off before facing Alabama. I am a big believer in Hugh Freeze and I think they could upset the Tide, but I think they are still a few recruiting classes away from being a contender for an SEC title. (Anonymous D-1 FBS staffer)

 

21. Florida_Gators_logo.svg  Florida (27)

Well, you can’t lose a bye week! (Matty J.)

 

22. Notre Dame Notre Dame (25)

This week’s game against Michigan State will tell us a lot about the Irish. Pat Narduzzi’s defense might be boring and predictable, but they are so good at what they do. Brian Kelly’s offense will have their hands full with them. (Anonymous D-1 FBS staffer)

 

23.  75px-Arizona_State_Sun_Devils_trident_logo  Arizona State (19)

The Sun Devils got the best of the Wisconsin Badgers in a controversy-filled game. The desert is just a very inhospitable place to play. (Lisa)

It’s sad that a mix of incompetence from the officials and Wisconsin will overshadow an incredible performance from Marion Grice (134 total yards, four rushing TDs). (T.J.)

 

24. WisconsinBadger.svg  Wisconsin (13*)

Losing one of the best games of the college football season in the desert when a victory was right in their grasp – save an incompetent kneel down and incompetent refereeing –  makes me give them  as much respect for the Badgers than an actual win.  Their quest for a fourth consecutive Rose Bowl begins at home against Purdue on Saturday.  (Adesina)

 

25.   496px-Fresno_State_Bulldogs_Logo.svg  Fresno State (13)

A win on Friday vs. Boise State, and we can officially start the “Derek Carr for Heisman” campaign.  Also, it will make the Bulldogs the favorite as the best shot at being the last “BCS buster.”  (Adesina)

 

Others receiving votes:

Texas Tech (11 points), Brigham Young (9), Washington State (7), Arizona (4), Pittsburgh (4), Boise State (3), Georgia Tech (3), Central Florida (2), Michigan State (2), Nebraska (1)

 

* – To break ties, we used a three-step criteria; 1) higher number of first-place votes, 2) higher number of ballots (out of six) the teams appeared in, 3) highest single ranking by an individual pollster (e.g. if Team A and Team B are tied cumulatively and appeared in all six polls, but Team A’s highest ranking by an individual pollster was No. 7 and Team B’s highest ranking by an individual pollster was No. 9, Team A wins tiebreaker)

 

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