| 20 September 2011
Let’s just go ahead and call this “Ja Rule Week,” with my OnsideKick.com College Football Top 25 Poll.
Why would I name poll after one of the worst rappers of the past 25 years? Simple, really. Much like one of my least favorite Ja Rule songs, this poll wasn’t there when you called yesterday, but it was on time. And I apologize for that. Plus, I figured this was a nice excuse for me to Google Ashanti, and see what she’s been up to lately (Think she's fallen far enough where I have a chance at a date with her?)
Anyway, by now you’ve probably noticed that I pushed back the release of the poll this week to today from its normal Monday spot (again, the whole “not always there when you call, but always on time” thing). Understand it had nothing to do with me being lazy, disinterested or being behind schedule because I had to bail Stephen Garcia out of jail Sunday night. Nope, instead it’s late because I decided yesterday to write about the crumbling Big East, and thought it might be better to wait a day to do this instead. So to any of you who came here looking for the poll (which I’m pretty sure is no one), I apologize.
Either way, below is this week’s Top 25. Just like I did last week, I’ve provided a “News and Notes,” segment at the bottom, explaining why I ranked the teams the way I did.
As always, whether you agree or (more likely) disagree, you’re encouraged to chime in, in the comments section below, or by e-mailing in at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Let’s go…
1. Oklahoma Sooners (2-0, 0-0)
2. LSU Tigers (3-0, 1-0)
3. Alabama Crimson Tide (3-0, 0-0)
4. Wisconsin Badgers (3-0, 0-0)
5. Boise State Broncos (3-0, 0-0)
6. Texas A&M Aggies (2-0, 0-0)
7. Stanford Cardinal (3-0, 1-0)
8. Florida State (2-1, 0-1)
9. Oregon Ducks (2-1, 0-0)
10. Oklahoma State (3-0, 0-0)
11. Arkansas Razorbacks (3-0, 0-0)
12. South Carolina Gamecocks (3-0, 1-0)
13. Florida Gators (3-0, 1-0)
14. Virginia Tech Hokies (3-0, 0-0)
15. Nebraska Cornhuskers (3-0, 0-0)
16. Baylor Bears (2-0, 0-0)
17. Miami Hurricanes (1-1, 0-0)
18. Texas Longhorns (3-0, 0-0)
19. West Virginia Mountaineers (3-0, 0-0)
20. South Florida Bulls (3-0, 0-0)
21. TCU Horned Frogs (2-1, 1-0)
22. Michigan Wolverines (3-0, 0-0)
23. USC Trojans (3-0, 1-0)
24. Ohio State Buckeyes (2-1, 0-0)
25. Michigan State Spartans (2-1, 0-0)
Alright, let’s get to the News and Notes.
- As you can tell, there are a handful of new faces in this week’s poll, and quite frankly, the more I looked over the landscape, the more I’m not sure there are actually 25 worthy teams for consideration.
Still, there were additions none the less. Miami enters the poll in the highest position at No. 17, courtesy of their win over Ohio State. Ultimately, the reason that they jumped in where they did was because, quite frankly, I think when they have their full complement of players, the Canes are actually really good. Like “the favorites in the Coastal Division,” good.
… Hold on. Sorry. Apparently my phone is ringing….
…Hello. Oh, really? Ok. Thanks for the heads up…
Sorry, that was every Miami fan calling to tell me that Jacory Harris has thrown two more interceptions since I began typing out this post. Good to know.
In all seriousness though, for all of Harris’ shortcomings, I still like this team because of the defense. They were really good last year, and I think they’ve got the opportunity to be one of the best in the country in 2011. Not to mention that they’re only going to get better when Olivier Vernon comes back in a few weeks too.
- As for the other new members of this week’s poll, welcome aboard Texas, Michigan and USC! Grab a pillow and glass of orange juice. It’s going to be a fun ride!
The reason I added Texas is simple: They’ve got their swag back. I’ll leave it to you to make Case McCoy/Jaxon Shipley jokes (the moratorium has already passed for me), but add those two with Malcolm Brown, and we’re talking about one of the most explosive young cores in college football. Not to mention a team that is going to scare the “You know what,” out of all the contenders in the Big XII this year. I fully expect the Longhorns to enter 2012 as a National Championship contender. Regardless of what conference they end up playing in.
As for the other two teams I’ve added, well, I’ll be honest: I actually don’t think either Michigan or USC is one of the 25 best teams in college football right now. But for at least this week, they are deserving.
Michigan, is deserving if only because they were so darn entertaining against Notre Dame that I just want to keep talking about them two weeks later (did you know they scored 28 points in the fourth quarter?!), and USC, because- despite their unimpressive wins so far- they are still 3-0. Also, say what you want about those three wins, they did all come against schools in AQ conferences. Granted, Minnesota and Syracuse may be two of the worst AQ teams in college football, but still. (For the record, I think the Trojans will lose to Arizona State this weekend by the way)
- Dropping out of the poll for obvious reasons were Auburn (loss to Clemson coupled with unimpressive win over Utah State); Arizona State, which suffered the most obvious let-down loss in the history of college football at Illinois; Northwestern…ugh; and Mississippi State. Sure the Bulldogs may be more well-respected within the Magnolia State’s borders, but guess what? Dan Mullen has as many wins this season as Houston Nutt does right now.
- As for the final few sports, ultimately I decided that as bad as they looked, I’d keep Ohio State and Michigan State in. In the Buckeyes defense, they lost to a really good Miami team, and as for the Spartans, well, somebody had to be on the wrong side of a Notre Dame whoopin’ when the Irish finally figured things out. Unfortunately Michigan State was it. Both teams also lost on the road, which factored into my decision.
- The last few teams that didn’t make my Top 25 were Clemson (for all the Auburn talk, they almost lost to Wofford the week before. Let’s see them do it two weeks in a row) and Illinois (same). I also need to see Georgia Tech beat someone better than a high school team before I add them in here.
- There were a few moves within the Top 10, as Stanford joined the party for the first time after their beat-down of Arizona, and Texas A&M moved up too, thanks in large part their defense. Overall, the Aggies look better than even I expected. Oklahoma State moved down a few spots thanks to another completely average defense effort. Although in the Pokes defense, I’m not totally sure if their game with Tulsa has actually ended yet. I may move them up a spot or two once I know their game went final.
And then there’s South Carolina, who simply did South Carolina things in their near loss to Navy. Knowing them, they’ll probably beat Vandy by 80 this weekend.
- Wisconsin jumped up to No. 4 with Boise moving down to No. 5, although if I had to do it again, I probably wouldn’t have switched them. Yes the Badgers have been more impressive overall through their three games, but none of their wins comes even close to what Boise did in the Georgia Dome. If I had to do it all over, I would’ve kept Boise at No. 4.
- Simply put Florida State was more impressive in defeat, than any of the other teams above them were in victory. That is why they’re in the poll at No. 8.
- Annnnnnnnd then there’s old No. 1, where Oklahoma has the top billing ahead of LSU.
Really picking between the two is like picking between the two prettiest girls at the bar; ultimately, who cares? They’re both knockouts, right?
Anyway, I went ahead and left Oklahoma at No. 1. LSU has the more impressive body of work, but really, Oklahoma has the best win of the season. To go on the road, in that environment, against that team showed me a lot about the Sooners.
Thanks again for reading, and as always, tell me where I messed up!
(Agree with Aaron’s picks? Disagree? Think he’s a fool? It’s ok, you’re not alone, so let him know by sharing your thoughts in the comments section below, or e-mailing at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
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