Intelligent football conversation from Atlanta to Columbus

Over the coming posts, I will have plenty to talk about with respect to AP rankings. But for now, I want to get the ball rolling by tossing some skepticism into the weekly rankings we are so excited to see every Sunday. I am of the opinion that your ranking should be a logical reflection of your performance ON the field, THIS season, and NOTHING else. This approach provides the correct answer to the great question, ‘Which team is the best?’ To expand upon what I mean, let’s look at some interesting and fun stats about this week’s AP Poll.

Kansas is currently 4-0 and snuggly sitting in the #16 slot. The only BCS team they have beaten this season is Duke. Where as Wisconsin is unranked 5-0 with two victories over BCS teams; South Florida is #23 5-0 with two victories over BCS teams; and Auburn is #17 with a 5-0 record with 3 victories over BCS teams. A victory over Duke counts when the game is 5 on 5 and your opposing coach has the court named after him. Why is Kansas ranked 16th and everyone else below them? Kansas started with a preseason ranking of #25 and by not losing, has worked their way up as those above them tumbled down. But for reasons to be discussed in another post, AP voters are reluctant to put more deserving teams ahead of their preseason pick. Note: South Florida, Wisconsin and Auburn did not start the preseason ranked.

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