Results for Week 18
SB Nation BlogPoll College Football Rankings 2011
Some thoughts after the jump....
LSU at #1 is basically evidence that voters value a starting QB who won't cry through saucer-sized eyes during the 1st quarter of the national championship game. Zach Mettenberger can't be worse than Jordan Jefferson under the spotlight, but LSU's atrocious game planning and eroding team unity may well be constant. The defense is loaded and the offense should be improved.
Overvalued:
Alabama at #3 with several #1 votes demonstrates Saban worship in full flush. Or laziness. The Tide have to replace most of their defense and are relying on AJ McCarron's arm to get them through the first half of the season. They look like a 2-3 loss team reloading for 2013.
Arkansas saw a slight dip in voter perception with the Petrino debacle, but are still in the Top 10. A top 5 finish or a 6-6 debacle seem equally plausible.
That Oklahoma State finds themselves ranked in the Top 25 after losing another spectacular receiver and a QB who DVR'ed Murder, She Wrote is testament to the respect that Gundy has built, but 4-5 conference losses seems plausible. Also, they will be QB'd by something called Wes Lunt.
One of West Virginia, TCU, is probably going to crap the bed. Which?
Baylor won 10 games in 2011; Oklahoma State won 12 games: which team has the greater decline in wins?
One of Arkansas, South Carolina, Georgia is going to disappoint. Which?
Undervalued:
Texas checks in at #21 and we're undervalued if you believe our offense will improve from 2011. Move the needle from 28 ppg in 2011 to 34 ppg in 2012 and Texas wins 10+.
Utah isn't ranked. Utah returns 17 starters, QB Jordan Wynn is healthy, and they have their sea legs in the Pac 12. They look like a ranked team to me.
Interested in your thoughts.