SB Nation BlogPoll Top 25: Preseason Ballot

by Scipio Tex on Aug 27, 2025 8:10 PM CDT

My tentative submission to SB Nation's BlogPoll after the jump. Look at the shameless homer!

Barking Carnival Ballot - Week 19

Rank	Team	Delta
1	USC Trojans	--
2	Florida St. Seminoles	--
3	LSU Tigers	--
4	Oregon Ducks	--
5	Ohio St. Buckeyes	--
6	Georgia Bulldogs	--
7	Texas Longhorns	--
8	Alabama Crimson Tide	--
9	Oklahoma Sooners	--
10	Wisconsin Badgers	--
11	Michigan St. Spartans	--
12	West Virginia Mountaineers	--
13	Louisville Cardinals	--
14	Michigan Wolverines	--
15	Utah Utes	--
16	Florida Gators	--
17	South Carolina Gamecocks	--
18	Clemson Tigers	--
19	Nebraska Cornhuskers	--
20	Arkansas Razorbacks	--
21	Virginia Tech Hokies	--
22	Kansas St. Wildcats	--
23	Notre Dame Fighting Irish	--
24	Central Florida Knights	--
25	Stanford Cardinal	--

SB Nation BlogPoll College Football Top 25 Rankings "

Feel free to slice and dice it as you please. You won't hurt my feelings. It's all fiction and won't stand up under much scrutiny, much like Sailor Ripley's expense reports. You can also see how i compare to the AP Top 25.

USC and FSU are a pure probability guess - it's not really about "best." They both have the clearest paths to undefeated seasons in a year where the SEC has a reasonable chance of beating up on itself and crowning a two loss conference champion. Knowing that the media will try to jump any 1 (or possibly 2) loss SEC team over comparable resume foes will be an interesting development to monitor.

I'm probably unjustifiably bullish on Texas and Ohio State. But I may just be a year early.

My dark horses are Utah and Louisville. I like at least one of the two to string together a big year. As with my Texas and Ohio State picks, I seem to be putting a lot of hopes on developing offenses improving enough to complement good defenses.

I don't rank the following preseason AP Top 25 teams at all: Boise State, TCU, Oklahoma State. All three are capable of successful seasons, but they've got more question marks than answers.

Though I have three SEC teams in my Top 10, and 6 ranked overall; I'm relatively bearish on Arkansas, South Carolina, and to a much lesser extent, Alabama compared to the AP. Arkansas and South Carolina have implodey vibes. Speaking of predictable implosion, Georgia is a beneficiary of incredibly favorable scheduling and I was actually ready to rank Tennessee too, but offseason incidents convinced me that things are still rotten in Knoxville.

Say a Hail Mary for the Fighting Irish, who face a brutal schedule, but I still like Brian Kelly and I worked them in against my better judgement.

This was the most troubling preseason ballot I've ever filled out. It just doesn't look or feel right. When that's the case, it's often a year ripe for an unexpected champion like a 2000 OU or 2010 Auburn.

Love to hear your thoughts...not my final ballot and plenty of time to talk me out of a particularly bad choice.

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Comments

I think OU might be looking at a 3 to 4-loss year.

So they might struggle to stay in the top 15

by Zzzizzzy on Aug 27, 2025 8:24 PM CDT reply actions

That would be fun.

by Scipio Tex on Aug 27, 2025 9:14 PM CDT up reply actions

ALABAMA AT 8?

PAWWWWWWWLLLLL!?!?!?!?!?!?!!

Follow @BarkingCarnival

by Sailor Ripley on Aug 27, 2025 8:25 PM CDT reply actions

I'm intent on proving their mortality

Even if the rest of the SEC puts in offensive game plans against that are defeatist subservience.

by Scipio Tex on Aug 27, 2025 9:15 PM CDT up reply actions

It was actually funny

watching Nick Saban be the one to “open it way up” vs. LSU in the Natty.

Follow @BarkingCarnival

by Sailor Ripley on Aug 27, 2025 11:39 PM CDT up reply actions

Opening up

How much of that was Saban, and how much was McIlwain?

And with Nussmeier now in Tuscaloosa, do you think it opens up a little more?

by Ricky Muncie on Aug 28, 2025 7:53 AM CDT up reply actions

Not without Trent

by HookemSpurs on Aug 28, 2025 8:50 AM CDT up reply actions

I suspect Saban

I mean, it’s The Nicktator.

Follow @BarkingCarnival

by Sailor Ripley on Aug 28, 2025 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions

Interested to see

Jimbo get it done (or not).

Follow @BarkingCarnival

by Sailor Ripley on Aug 27, 2025 8:25 PM CDT reply actions

That's the last time I take you to Mitchell Brothers.

I mean, er uh, BBQ Restaurant.

Follow @BarkingCarnival

by Sailor Ripley on Aug 27, 2025 8:29 PM CDT reply actions

Hope you're wrong about the Buckeyes

Nervy pick of UT over the Sooners and Mountaineers. Like it!

by edsp on Aug 27, 2025 8:40 PM CDT reply actions

Florida St.

They may have an easy schedule, but they constantly underachieve. Cant see them not having another let down somewhere along the way.

And apparently I’m the only person in America who thinks Braxton Miller is a worse QB than Case McCoy under fire from the baptist. Dont see OSU in top 10 come years end.

by Sweedish Nightmare on Aug 27, 2025 8:47 PM CDT reply actions

Braxton is rather spastic.

But one of the beauties of Urban’s system is that it reduces QB decision making to binary.

I hear you on FSU. But Jimbo isn’t Bobby and EJ Manuel looks to be healthy.

by Scipio Tex on Aug 27, 2025 9:17 PM CDT up reply actions

think fsu is a lot like us

defense should totally wreck. the offense is suspect, they’re further along with ej but their backs aren’t as good. i don’t know about their o-line or it’s depth but it’s probably so much higher in talent than the rest of the acc that it won’t matter much.

by mattw on Aug 28, 2025 12:30 AM CDT up reply actions

FSU

comes down to OL. They have had a worse o-line than Texas the last few yrs. If they get decent o-line play I can get on board with this pick

by codaxx on Aug 28, 2025 10:48 AM CDT up reply actions

Wrong!

Not enough SEC in the top 10, top 20, or top 25. Where the hell are the fighting Ags? And no Mizzou! This list is not SEC-good.

by Rickyspub on Aug 27, 2025 9:37 PM CDT reply actions

I believe you are a lot closer to Michigan's true worth than the polls.

Their defensive line is rebuilt and Alabama’s offensive line should shred it.

The schedule is much tougher than last year (road games at Notre Dame, Nebraska and Ohio State) and Michigan State is primed to have a really good year.

by srr50 on Aug 27, 2025 9:48 PM CDT reply actions

i think so too

A lot of folks have them firmly in the Top 10. The schedule is truly no joke.

by Scipio Tex on Aug 27, 2025 10:54 PM CDT up reply actions

Wow

Love those Buckeyes, huh?

I’m in on South Carolina – at least until Thursday night.

I’d probably slot K-State somewhere around #15.

I think Arkansas is going to be a mess.

Human Person @jimmygards

by ColoradoAg on Aug 27, 2025 9:49 PM CDT reply actions

Might as well make a bet on it

The “my top 25 looks identical to the AP poll” ballot has always puzzled me.

When does your website launch?

by Scipio Tex on Aug 27, 2025 11:15 PM CDT up reply actions

Agreed

The AP guys are clueless and simply mimicking them is lazy. Good stuff.

Shameless plug: we’re hoping Good Bull Hunting launches tomorrow (Wednesday).

Give us a follow @GBHunting and stop by good whiskey, cheap beer, and jokes. Our inaugural Blog Poll will have the Ags ranked #2. We like being underdogs.

Human Person @jimmygards

by ColoradoAg on Aug 28, 2025 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions

We'll only follow you

if you learn how to embed HTML links in your replies.

Follow @BarkingCarnival

by Sailor Ripley on Aug 28, 2025 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions

Great name

I’ll be at the A&M;/UF game….where can I stop by for the whiskey, beer, etc.

by Horncasting on Aug 28, 2025 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions

I think not having OSU anywhere in the top 25 is a mistake.

Even if its just the tail end, its a mistake to not have them in there at all.
Good call on Utah. Not having Boise in the top 25 is a mistake. I know they lost alot on both sides of the ball, but they shouldn’t have too much of an issue in the big east.

"Slammed that hoe on the counter like I just got 35 on the domino table!!"
Sherrod Harris

by AlDe2356 on Aug 27, 2025 10:02 PM CDT reply actions

- Boise State = Mountain West
- Boise may be ranked, but I think it’ll be voter laziness and name familiarity paired with an easy schedule
- Love OSU’s potential on D, but think Lunt needs a year. Would rather play them early than late.

by Scipio Tex on Aug 27, 2025 11:06 PM CDT up reply actions

LOVE that Boise

is a brand.

Follow @BarkingCarnival

by Sailor Ripley on Aug 27, 2025 11:39 PM CDT up reply actions

Agree on Pigs, Tide, Frogs and Pokes

Arkansas will see what happens when Petrino recruits don’t get coached-up by a mad genius. Tide replaces too many pieces. See Alabama’s 2010 season for what that looks like against an SEC schedule.TCU picked the wrong time to not quit sniffing glue . . . And Oklahoma State? . . . I don’t know that there’s ever a right time to pick a true freshman starting QB..

Don’t know what to think of Sooners. There are just as many reasons things could fall apart as there are that they will stay on track. From this point, OU will need an injury-free season like the one in 2000. If they go to a BCS game, Stoops will have done some of his better coaching. Their 2006 Big XII title season comes to mind.

by Cirque Du Salado on Aug 27, 2025 11:10 PM CDT reply actions

Gators?

I guess their placement is more about the 17+ and the rest of the SEC, but what’s your take on Florida? I haven’t been following them other than seeing @edsbs’s twitter despair (e.g. re rotating QBs).

by canuckhorn on Aug 28, 2025 6:35 AM CDT reply actions

I'll bite (or chomp)

Part time Gator fan here to fill you in on the Boys from ol’ Florida.

It is remarkable how much they mirror the Horns. They had an experienced QB crap out on them last year and left the job to 2 pups. They are both sophomores with about equal talent. Brissett may be more steady and Driskell more of a playmaker. Yet to be seen. They will both play in the opener.

They do not have our wealth of talent in the backfield, though Muschamp is trying to remedy that quick. Funny thing about Florida, no one really cares about the RBs (since Emmitt anyway) so it is hard to get a read on how the youngsters will perform. There are no sure things at the WR position either. Basically their offense is a big ball of suck (or at least very unoven).

BUT, like Texas, they return a top 10 defense that should pick up where it left off or even improve (2nd year with Muschamp).

So…. like Texas, they are worried/curious about the QBs, hoping someone steps up at the skill positions and depending on their defense. Both offense and defense are a year behind the Texas version imo.

by jenx on Aug 28, 2025 7:51 AM CDT up reply actions

Thanks Jenx

Lots of questions with the offense leaves lots of room re: ranking. Do you like Florida over Ark and SCar? With Florida, they seem to be the close contenders for 4-6 in the SEC (I don’t know where Auburn stands these days).

SEC Tiers?
LSU, Bama, Georgia
Florida, SCar, Ark
Miss St, Tenn, Auburn, Aggie, Mizzou
Ole Miss, KY, Van

by canuckhorn on Aug 28, 2025 3:37 PM CDT up reply actions

Auburn has stacked together a couple of nice recruiting classes

They will coldcock somebody that’s not ready for them. I wouldn’t be surprised for them to slap the higher ranked Clemson Tigers for no other reason than that’s what SEC teams do to ACC teams when they play in Atlanta.

by Cirque Du Salado on Aug 28, 2025 6:00 PM CDT up reply actions

You have much more faith in FSU than I do at this point and time.

You are right, Jimbo isn’t Bobby. Bobby had coached 14 years in the ACC before he went through a strecth like going 11-5.

That isn’t what bothers me as much as for all that talent OU went into FSU last year and physically manhandled them. There just seems to be something there that doesn’t work for me though it wouldn’t be the first time I was completely wrong.

I really like the call of UCF. Not sure if they can win at Columbus, but I do think they can beat Missouri in Orlando and they going 10-1 isn’t farfetched.

by davey o'brien on Aug 28, 2025 7:15 AM CDT reply actions

That was a really crazy game.

I hope we get more games like that this year.

"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels

by GhettoBear04 on Aug 28, 2025 12:05 PM CDT up reply actions

We won't until we get a true play-off system.

Why risk a difficult non-conference game when the current system continually rewards teams that go easy in non-conference?

by davey o'brien on Aug 28, 2025 12:36 PM CDT up reply actions

Actually, davey, you have exposed the achilles heel of the current BCS system.

"Don't matter what they throw at us. Only angry people win football games."
Darrell Royal

by Snide Aside on Aug 28, 2025 5:05 PM CDT up reply actions

Ohio State at #5?

Not out of the realm of possibility but they have too much to prove. Same with Texas. I think Bama’s defense is too good to be ranked #9 but they definitely lack any offensive skill position. LSUs run game at least makes them dangerous on both sides of the ball. I don’t think the Big 10 has 5 top 25 teams.

Although always nice to see a top 25 that isn’t overly conservative.

by HookemSpurs on Aug 28, 2025 8:54 AM CDT reply actions

Texas A&M; not ranked?

I mean, they are in the SEC now. They should be a top 10 team. Pfft, sips. /aggie

by Teamdirtyleg on Aug 28, 2025 9:00 AM CDT reply actions

Texas?!

Do you not know they don’t have a QB that can walk and chew gum at the same time? And they haven’t developed players in ever? And that the QBs are so bad that they’ll leave the defense on the field forever and they get tired and become mortal and give up 30 ppg? Don’t you know football?!

Also, shame on you for lack of copy/paste AP poll.

Hook 'em! @michaelpelech10 on Twitter

by The Audit Horn on Aug 28, 2025 11:31 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

Yes, because Texas clearly warranted being ranked as highly as #11 last year.

"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels

by GhettoBear04 on Aug 28, 2025 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions

Well, since we're basing expectations based on last year's results....

Baylor is gonna look fantastic this year, ain’t they? Egregious they’re not in this poll.

Hook 'em! @michaelpelech10 on Twitter

by The Audit Horn on Aug 28, 2025 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions

The point I was trying to make is that UT often gets overranked/overrated.

At #7, I’d say they’re pretty dang highly overrated.

"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels

by GhettoBear04 on Aug 28, 2025 3:47 PM CDT up reply actions

I can not believe you have Texas ranked #7.

It is completely and totally absurd to me.

"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels

by GhettoBear04 on Aug 28, 2025 11:52 AM CDT reply actions

What is a Ghetto Bear like?

Human Person @jimmygards

by ColoradoAg on Aug 28, 2025 12:37 PM CDT up reply actions

Kind of like this

Tevin Elliot

by Big(g) Ern on Aug 28, 2025 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions

Excuse me if I'm late,

but like a thief it takes time to be this great.
Honestly, just wait. Your style’s a disgrace,
your rhymes are fifth place and I’m just grace.
One, Uno, Ace and I’m tryin to make your heart beat like bass,
but your sweet like cake
and i come to fix whatever you shall break.

"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels

by GhettoBear04 on Aug 28, 2025 3:46 PM CDT up reply actions