AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2007 > August > 19
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Is Southern Cal really that good?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Random thoughts about the preseason AP Poll:
1. Is Southern Cal really THAT good?: The coaches poll gave the Trojans 45 out of 60 first-place votes. The AP media poll gave them 62 of 65. Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh is saying the 2007 Southern Cal team could be the best in the history of college football.
Let’s just hold on a second.
The 2005 Trojan team had two Heisman Trophy winners (Matt Leinart, Reggie) Bush but got beat by a hot quarterback (Vince Young of Texas). Southern Cal plays six road games (Nebraska, Washington, Notre Dame, Oregon, California, Arizona State). I’m just asking.
2. LSU gets love: For a team that lost four first-round draft choices, including the No. 1 overrall pick (QB JaMarcus Russell), LSU is getting a lot of love from the voters, who have them at No. 2 in both polls. It’s got to be based on a great defense that returns eight starters and the fact that the toughest games are in Baton Rouge. But can any team go undefeated against a schedule that includes Virginia Tech, South Carolina, Florida, Auburn, and Arkansas?
3. Two teams are going undefeated: Just call it a hunch. If Southern Cal is one, then I’m betting that No. 3 West Virginia will be the other. Notice that the media voted the Mountaineers No. 3 while the coaches had them at No. 6. Just an opinion, but I think coaches vote based on their assessment of the quality of the team. Media votes on the quality of the team AND that team’s likelihood of getting to the big game.
4. No respect for Tech? I remain surprised that Georgia Tech did not crack the Top 25 in either poll. Yep, the Yellow Jackets did lose Calvin Johnson but they return 15 starters and both kickers from a team that won nine games. Four of its five losses last season were by four points or less. Four of five starters return on the offensive line. Eight starters return on defense. What am I missing?
5. There is a mini-playoff: Except for Southern Cal, every team in the Top 10 has to play another Top 10 team in the regular season. No. 2 LSU plays two (No. 9 Virginia Tech, No. 6 Florida). No. 3 West Virginia plays No. 10 Louisville. No. 4 Texas plays No. 8 Oklahoma. No. 5 Michigan plays No. 7 Wisconsin. Southern Cal plays No. 12 California, No. 14 UCLA and No. 20 Nebraska.
Bonus thought: The protests of coach Charlie Weis to the contrary, I think it’s fair to say that Notre Dame is in a rebuilding year. The Irish received only 11 points in the media poll, which was good enough for No. 37.
