BN's Ballot for Blogpoll (Draft)

by Nestor on Aug 7, 2006 3:06 PM PDT in Football Comment 15 comments

Last week one of the first big national polls (USA Today/Coaches) poll came out. Many pres-season magazines and publications have been doing their own rankins for last few weeks. It's now our turn. Once again Bruins Nation will be partaking in the blogpoll, and we will do our best to make our vote as much of reflection of this community as possible.

I have already put up a poll asking folks where should UCLA be ranked. Here is a draft of what a possible Bruins Nation ballot in the blogpoll will looks like right now:

Rank	Team
1	Ohio State
2	Texas
3	West Virginia
4	Florida
5	USC
6	Auburn
7	Notre Dame
8	California
9	LSU
10	Georgia
11	Miami (FL)
12	Louisville
13	Florida State
14	Iowa
15	Oregon
16	Texas Tech
17	Michigan
18	Tennessee
19	Michigan State
20	UCLA
21	Alabama
22	Virginia Tech
23	Arizona State
24	Oklahoma
25	Boston College

I bumped the Sooners all the way down to 24 because I just think they are going to have a tough time with Paul Thompson calling the shots.

I think Cal deserves to be a top-10 team. I also think ASU should perhaps be in the top-25.

Does TCU deserve to be in the top-25? Also missing from this list are Nebraska and Penn State. I just don't care much about Bill Callahan's program and don't want to buy into all the rejuvenation hype around Joe Pa. I think PSU will struggle this year with a new Quarterback.

I think Tennessee may be being overlooked this season, as they may be making a comeback into the national scene with their QB situation somewhat settled with Ainge as the no. 1 QB.

In any event all this is just for discussion. Frankly I wish rankings did not come out after the end of 4th Saturday when a picture starts emerging about the new season.

And I fully expect these guys to be in the top-25 with a 4-0 record at that point of the season:

Anyways discussing this preseason polls are part of the fun. So let's open this topic up for discussion.

Who did I rank too high? Who is too low? Why? Fire away. I am hoping we can have a revised/final ballot up by the end of the week.

GO BRUINS

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Comments

Overall, It's a good list. However,

A few observations:

West Virginia is gonna cruise in the Big Least. It's tempting to put them #1, but I think #3 is very fair. Louisville is impossible to gauge.
Florida has zero running game. I'd have them a little lower, perhaps at #9 (or abouts).
Oklahoma is still a top 15 team. That defense, and AP running, makes them a very good team.
People continue to sleep on Iowa.
The Vols are in for another rough year. I don't know that they're even top 20.

Outside of those minor quibbles, I think it's a very fair ranking setup.

Go Bruins...F@#$% SC... UCLA Fight Fight Fight!

by HomeBruin on Aug 7, 2006 3:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Nice takes HB

I think you may be right about dropping the Sooners too low. I talked to a good buddy of mine earlier this evening who is an OU alum/avid Sooner junkie. He seemed confident that they will be fine with Thompson who will be asked to "manage" the game ala Heupel. Those Sooner fans are putting a lot of faith in their vaunted D and a healthy Peterson. We will see.

As for Tennessee I think they may be a sleeper team this year. They are not going to have a nasty QB controversy to deal with this yea and they have a very favorable schedule. They have most of their big games at home against Cal, Florida, Alabama and LSU. Their only tough road game is at Georgia. They could possibly stumble in South Carolina, but otherwise a fairly easy ride, kind of like what we had last year. So I think they may end up in the top-15.

As for Florida's bad running game - that was last year. Perhaps this year Urban's scheme will open up the running attack more now that he had a chance to put his offensive packages in place? What do you think?

by Nestor on Aug 7, 2006 5:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fair Points...

It seems like Urban Meyer loves to take shots at his running backs (for whatever reason), and it may just be a clever rouse, but they're top three running backs combined for fewer yards than many other teams starting tailback (singular). I think it's a bit too much for Leak to handle, and the schedule is rough. If anyone can pull it off, however, Meyer can. The guys is awesome.

Responding to your other statment below, I would love for the Spartans to be relevant again, because I think a lot of John L. Smith, and Drew Stanton is a fine QB, but I'm not sure they're quite there yet.

Overall, I think your rankings are extremely fair.

Go Bruins...F@#$% SC... UCLA Fight Fight Fight!

by HomeBruin on Aug 7, 2006 6:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Spartans

Spartans have the UCLA football disease. They usually start strong and then collapse at the end. So may be this year with a veteran QB in his last year they will put it together. They are going to get ND in East Lansing I believe. So that's gonna make things interesting.

Yeah Florida is going to be interesting to watch. If Leak is finally set in Meyer's offense watch out. They are going to spray passes all around the field to set up the run.

What team do you think is the most unfair omission on this poll?

by Nestor on Aug 7, 2006 6:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Honestly

I'm pretty surprised you left Penn St. off the list. Between Clemson and Penn St., those are the two. CJ Spiller is going to be a monster frosh RB for the Tigers.

I'd bump Bama and ASU off. The Sun Devils always disappoint, and Bama's offense stunk last year, even with a good quarterback (now gone).

Go Bruins...F@#$% SC... UCLA Fight Fight Fight!

by HomeBruin on Aug 7, 2006 8:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Some observations....................

Texas at no 2 and needing a new QB to replace Young is about 4 or 5 spots too high. They will go as far as their D will take them.

I think UCLA at 20 is a fair ranking right now. We have to prove it on the field not only with a good won/loss record, but demonstrating we can stop someone.

Every year I think ND is rated too high (even when their not rated), so my opinion on them is very slanted.

The $cumbags, like Texas will only go as far as their D will take them. Too many unknowns on the offensive side of the ball. Should be no higher than 10th.

For what it's worth, that's what I think

by artybruin on Aug 7, 2006 3:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Texas

Arty I hear you on the Texas QB situation. But they are the defending champs and they have 3 deep sick talents up and down their depth chart. I think it is fair them to give them the no. 2 slot out of the gate. No? How would you set up your top-5?

by Nestor on Aug 7, 2006 6:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Top 7

Off the cuff, here is my top 7

Ohio State
West Virginia
Auburn
Florida
LSU
Cal
Texas

by artybruin on Aug 8, 2006 8:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nestor, you have Florida Ranked #4 and #8

They're good, but they're not THAT good.
LOL. No worries.

Go Bruins...F@#$% SC... UCLA Fight Fight Fight!

by HomeBruin on Aug 7, 2006 5:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Oy Vez ...

that's what happens when you are writing something up late. Thanks for pointing that out HB. I knew MSU was missing. I think lot of people are overlooking Michigan State who may do some damage with Drew Stanton at QB. Drew Stanton by the way is from Drew Olson's class. Stanton was also at point being recruited by UCLA.

by Nestor on Aug 7, 2006 5:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

the pac-10 teams...

look appropriate. You have to have U$C in the top-5, because they probably have the best WR corps in the country.

Cal seems good in the top-10. solid ground game and good defense. questionable play still at qb.

UCLA lost a lot, but with strong QB play, could be a top-20 team.

Think ASU will actually turn out a bit better. could see them top-15 most of the season.

The Dish
http://www.udubdish.com

by zachls5 on Aug 7, 2006 9:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

USC's WRs

Well you'd think Jarrett would be suspended for at least 4 games considering how he spent a year in a luxury apt. without paying full rent.

by Nestor on Aug 8, 2006 5:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If we are a top 20 team

Our average margin of victory should be by about two touchdowns through the first six games. Our first half schedule will be as easy as it will ever get. Second half schedule is a different story. I don't care how many points we win by. Just win. Last year, we had a dream season for the first eight games. Let see if we can match or exceed that. Our team is more than capable of going 12-0, no question. Of course, we can go 0-12 just as easy. One game at a time.

BEAT UTAH!!!

by bruinzete on Aug 8, 2006 7:41 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Hey Nestor,

Are we gonna get a look at your final top 25 BlogPoll, or are you going to stick with your early picks, and ignore the input of your fellow Bruin faithful?

I've got to know.

Go Bruins...F@#$% SC... UCLA Fight Fight Fight!

by HomeBruin on Aug 9, 2006 3:38 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs