BLOGPOLL, WEEK FIVE: BRING THE HATREDCOPTER
Heyo! This week’s blogpoll has the strength of not being done ten minutes before deadline, so bring the hatredcopter, haters. It’s…it’s…almost competent.
Adamant refusals to apologize and open challenges to fight you in the Thunderdome follow.
| Rank | Team | Delta |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | LSU | — |
| 2 | Southern Cal | — |
| 3 | Oklahoma | 1 |
| 4 | West Virginia | 1 |
| 5 | Florida | 2 |
| 6 | California | 2 |
| 7 | Oregon | 1 |
| 8 | Wisconsin | 5 |
| 9 | Texas | 3 |
| 10 | Boston College | 1 |
| 11 | Ohio State | 4 |
| 12 | Rutgers | 2 |
| 13 | Kentucky | 6 |
| 14 | Clemson | 2 |
| 15 | Georgia | 3 |
| 16 | South Carolina | 2 |
| 17 | Cincinnati | 9 |
| 18 | Alabama | 6 |
| 19 | Missouri | 4 |
| 20 | Penn State | 11 |
| 21 | South Florida | 4 |
| 22 | Kansas | 4 |
| 23 | Arizona State | — |
| 24 | Hawaii | 2 |
| 25 | Virginia | 1 |
Open challenges to fight!
Poor-mouthing, my ass. Why WVU ahead of Florida? Because they’re pushes on offense and West Virginia, as far as we know, has at least one cornerback. That’s all. If Florida beats the huge, elephantine ears off Tuberville this weekend, then we’ll bounce them back up. Right now, a pass rush and ability to actually disrupt something the opposing offense differentiates the two, with Florida’s defense being a literal wall on the field: you can’t run into it, but you can certainly throw things over it at will. That’s going to asplode a-one of these games, and it may not the one you’re expecting at LSU, who hasn’t really thrown the ball at will…yet. Kentucky and Andre Woodson have us stocking up on the Bactine and aloe in advance, especially since Florida goes to Lexington.
Still gorilla/werewolf with chainsaw dick. USC’s a hair behind the Husqvarna-dicks in our mind. Cal gets the nod over Oregon pending this weekend’s result, since our readers have pointed out helpfully that Cal’s defense is actually stopping someone this year.
Respect Rutgers or die, motherfucker? When they beat someone of substance, they go into the top ten–as of now Mike Teel is second in the nation in passing efficiency, and he’s done this against harmless baby chick opponents. When he fights some bigass rooster of a team, they get in the henhouse. (Viva la agricultural metaphors!) Ditto for BC, who is just this close to getting in the top ten on Matt Ryan’s arm alone.
Other oddities, etc: Wisconsin has looked wobbly twice, but have actually beaten some people; Ohio State beat Washington, yes, but aside from being blinded by Jake Locker, the value of that and a Northwestern sacrifice lose out to Wisconsin’s more substantial conference win over Iowa. (Yes, even with palsied Balk-eye offense.)
More Big Ten revaluation with the rebirth of the Penn State absurdist offense and a huge plunge for them. Georgia bumps, Cocks droop, and we’re still unsure of how good Alabama is, so we hold a spot for them beneath awed-by-the-runway-and-lights Cincy. 20-24 is largely a muddle of high-scoring teams of dubious but sparkling record, and should be referred to as the 45 Point Block due to their habit of either scoring or giving up 45 points in every game.
Groh-mentum! We are not making this up. UVA gets the nod for being tied for the early lead in the ACC. Charisma, son, is for suckers and polygamists.

1
2 







1
Gamecocks says:
Head-to-head means nothing.
September 26th, 2007 at 12:04 pm
2
VandyJ says:
Cal has a defense this year, and bits of it are definitely better, but they beat Oregon last year because of two things: Zack Follett pounded Dennis Dixon like a fine steak tartare and DeSean Jackson was blinding fast. Follett missed last week’s game so I don’t know how he is looking for Saturday, and Dixon is to all accounts MUCH improved. The temptation to make this a track meet and hope to have the ball last will be strong.
Of course, Cal also features Jahvid Best now, a man so fast that he cannot urinate for fear of electrocuting himself.
September 26th, 2007 at 12:04 pm
3
BovineKid says:
Florida’s playing Tuberville this weekend? I thought they were playing Auburn. I think you’re confused Orson. It’s the other SEC team in the state that’s named after its coach.
September 26th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
4
D'Jango says:
A convincing win over Oregon St deserves inclusion for UCLA. What say you?
Of course, convincing wins have been hard to come by for UCLA this year.
September 26th, 2007 at 12:07 pm
5
Allahver Fist says:
West F’n Virginia passes the Gators and USF drops 4 spots for beating UNC 37-10. Trying to swindle some gambin’ dollas this Friday, huh lawya?
September 26th, 2007 at 12:09 pm
6
BamaCPA says:
Will a loss to FSU boost us into the Top 10 ?
September 26th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
7
AULIVESNFTWORTH says:
If Blackmon and Grooves win the game, on their own this weekend (LIKE last year)….They should get a souvenir…… Maybe like a piece of Tebow’s ear or something….
September 26th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
8
crimson daddy says:
Orson, I think it’s your best effort to date.
Just one thing. Why are people (blog pollers, AP voters, and, SID’s) putting Georgia above South Carolina?
September 26th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
9
Year2-Dave says:
Virginia? Really? There is no reason why a team that lost 23-3 to Wyoming should be ranked at this point. None.
September 26th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
10
The Sex Cannon says:
Kansas? Yeah, they’re 4-0, but Temple could go 4-0 against those teams.
September 26th, 2007 at 12:17 pm
11
Pants McPants says:
Ohio State drops 4 after a 28-0 first quarter and 45-0 at halftime game? I know, it was Northwestern, but Wisconsin?? Boston College?? Tell me you’d honestly bet on those teams even up vs OSU on a neutral field….becuause I need money….
Unfortunately, after we kill Minnesota and Purdue it ain’t gonna prove anything either…
September 26th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
12
Biggus Rickus says:
Because the perception before and even after that game was that Georgia was probably a better team overall than South Carolina.
September 26th, 2007 at 12:20 pm
13
Allahver Fist says:
If Auburn’s offense doesn’t score a touchdown (LIKE last year)…they should get a L….maybe a He15man shirt too.
September 26th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
14
KLB says:
It makes good sense that Georgia is ranked ahead of USC. After all, USC had the advantage of playing in Athens. So, obviously, UGA is the better team, they just had to play against that disadvantage…..
Yeah, it doesn’t make a bit of sense but some people can’t admit that they were wrong in the preseason and refuse to correct themselves. Sadly, the blog poll has now gone the way of the AP as useless.
Stick with the Oddsmakers’ Top 25. They have no passion other than wealth.
September 26th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
15
Geaux Irish says:
Texas will finally meet a real team and get theirs next weekend against OU. And Ohio State beating Northwestern is still better than Texas pasting Rice (this coming from a Houston boy).
And any touchy feely excitement for Iowa should have been lost immediately after their loss to Iowa State. Still not impressed with the Badgers. Their 2006 record should still have an * next to it since they didn’t play OSU or UM.
September 26th, 2007 at 12:26 pm
16
Geaux Irish says:
Ditto on the UVA comment. A win over GaTech isn’t what it used to be after the BC game and after ND’s continued dive into a 3-9 record.
September 26th, 2007 at 12:28 pm
17
tOSUBuckeyes says:
I’m not going to argue with the #11 slot for the Buckeyes…we’re not a top 10 team yet…we haven’t beaten anyone to deserve a top 10 ranking.
Honestly, I think Michigan State and Purdue are undervalued. Dantonio has the Spartans playing very, very well. I know they haven’t beaten anyone and didn’t look exactly great against ND, but I think they are legit bowl team on the rise. I think Purdue is clicking on offense and could cause teams some problems. Both are 4-0 and that has to count for a little something.
I don’t think we will be able to evaluate Ohio State accurately until the end of October and November. Michigan State, @Penn State, Wisconsin, Illinois, and @Michigan to finish the season.
Not sure how Bama losses at home to a team ranked lower than them and moves up 6 places. Like Ohio State, Bama has yet to face an experienced, well balanced offensive attack or a solid, experienced defense.
September 26th, 2007 at 12:31 pm
18
PeteJayhawk says:
#10: Maybe so, but they wouldn’t beat them by an average score of 57-5. How did UT do against Arkansas State? Nebraska against Ball State? Wisconsin against UNLV?
September 26th, 2007 at 12:32 pm
19
Odell 51 says:
Cincy is a very legit team. The defense is fast and makes plays while the offense is gettng better and better week to week with multiple QB’s. I am calling for a repeat of the Rutgers game and possible Big East co-championship by the end of the year.
GO CATS!
But honeslty sell your possesions because the world is coming to an end. Why? UK and UC in the top 25…
September 26th, 2007 at 12:32 pm
20
bhors says:
#8,
Agreed.
Wiscy needed a 4th Q comeback to beat Iowa, who has transative AA Northern Iowa strain herpes, moved up 5. And Texas, who needed football god help twice to beat Bill Clinton St., and University of Crystelmeth Florida moved up over OSU in their victory over 1952 powerhouse Rice. Also, which BC victory over their 1-3 competition was that impressive? I know GT looked good with their wins over 1-AA competition ND and MD, NC State’s lone win vs. Wofford, and Army’s win vs. Rhode Island.
I know, I know, OMG OMG rank my favorite team higher shit blah blah
September 26th, 2007 at 12:32 pm
21
Native says:
If the referees show excessive love to the home team (LIKE last year)… Maybe that would even things out. Or UF could just pipe in some extra (albeit illegal) crowd noise and music, much like the folks down at Jordan-Hare. Not that the Swamp needs it, of course.
September 26th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
22
gerry dorsey says:
orson: robble, robble, rankings, robble, robble, nothing to see here
everyone: robble, robble, you’re an idiot, robble, robble, how do you put this team at #_, robble, robble, dumbass.
September 26th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
23
Brian says:
What’s really criminal is that in The USA today poll and harris interactive, GT got more votes than UVA. Pollsters are dumb.
September 26th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
24
spartymike says:
Wisconsin smells slightly fraudulent…they’ll be had this year. Maybe this week.
September 26th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
25
AULIVESNFTWORTH says:
Noise,Refs,wha wha whaaaaa….excuses n stuff….
Trey B. said he wants to kiss you QB too!
September 26th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
26
Edsall is God says:
Virginia is garbage. Oooh, they beat UNC & Duke. Wow. The Georgia Tech game was a study in apathy, both teams sucked but Tech sucked more. Kansas may not be garbage or they may be a steaming pile of it. I wouldn’t ranked them yet.
It’s minor, but how is Cincy ahead of South Florida? Cincy beat one real team with a pulse (Oregon State). USF beat Auburn on the road and embarrased UNC. Quick question…does Cincy beat Auburn at Jordan-Hare if they played right now?
Did ranking UConn even enter your head? Just curious. ‘Cuz that’d be wicked awesome.
September 26th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
27
bada-bing says:
forgive my ignorance, but what do the numbers and arrows on the right under “Delta” signify?
Is that Orson’s change since last week, or entire blogpoll average change?
September 26th, 2007 at 12:43 pm
28
Slims says:
Love the poll. Kudos to rating Oregon, BC, and Cincinnati as high as they could/should be.
My question is: does the winner of the Cal/Oregon game (even as a Cal homer, I won’t presume to predict who – this may be one of the best games in the nation this year) jump over Florida, especially given their lethargy last week? I fear you may be challenged there, Orson, but I respect it…
September 26th, 2007 at 12:43 pm
29
gindole says:
#11
What the hell does it matter? How about you tell us the ranking you’d like for the bucs. #3? #6? Sure. Take it.
Just realize that you’re only renting it until you eventually have it taken from you schoolyard bully style from a random Pac-10 or SEC team in a bowl game.
Or you could just be happy being in the Top 15…which is where you will finish.
September 26th, 2007 at 12:45 pm
30
crimson daddy says:
biggus rickus,
Perception, smerception. Both teams have the same record and UGa’s loss, as you know is to the Cocks, in Athens. This early in the year, the reality is that USC East should be ranked ahead.
After a few more games and another loss or two by both teams, yeah Georgia can be ranked ahead of them, but not now.
September 26th, 2007 at 12:47 pm
31
spartymike says:
BTW, South Florida takes down West Virginia ‘Eastern Promises’-style this week…they have Russians “concerns” in south Florida, right?
September 26th, 2007 at 12:53 pm
32
PW says:
does anyone else get really excited when a top 10 team loses, just so they can see what the animated blogpoll does to them?
September 26th, 2007 at 12:53 pm
33
crimson daddy says:
Edsall is God,
Auburn has a pulse?
September 26th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
34
Large Farva says:
Interesting inclusion of Kansas after wins over Central Michigan (who lost to NDSU by 30), SE La., Toledo and FIU. You guys should be honorary voters in the coaches poll.
September 26th, 2007 at 12:56 pm
35
Biggus Rickus says:
CD,
I’m not arguing against your logic, just offering up the reason. It’s what makes the polls the lovable, flawed, subjective, water cooler fodder that they are.
September 26th, 2007 at 12:56 pm
36
Techie says:
Why, Why can’t we win in Charlottesville?
I think the last time was in 1990?
September 26th, 2007 at 1:05 pm
37
crimson daddy says:
I know Biggus, that just really drives me crazy.
September 26th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
38
Orson Swindle says:
We would look at any and all odd delta-arrow rises to be corrections of last week’s multiple idiocies on our ballot.
UVA at 25? That’s more an indicator of how bad the ACC might be.
September 26th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
39
Michigan Gator says:
#15- Wisconsin did play Michigan last year… that was their only loss…
September 26th, 2007 at 1:11 pm
40
Pants McPants says:
#29
I realize it’s difficult to imagine, but Ohio State has played other games besides the NC game last year, which by the way took their record all the way down to 4-1 in BCS bowl games.
I understand the SEC smack given our unfortunate (somewhat) recent history, but a Pac-10 team?? Please….
September 26th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
41
Anon says:
(sigh)
If Penn State is ranked, then Michigan should be ranked higher. Michigan is clearly the better team. It was a fluke win. There was no dramatic, last-minute play to win the game. It was just a flat-out win by a better team.
Michigan should not be ranked. Neither should PSU.
September 26th, 2007 at 1:22 pm
42
Baby-faced Genius says:
Don’t be shocked, should the Flailing Irish of Notre Dame start 0-8 and finish 2-10, if Charlie Weis seeks a convenient escape hatch in January: the New York Giants.
How interesting that Tom Coughlin’s tenure with the Giants is ending as Weis, a New Jersey native and former Giants assistant under Bill Parcells, stumbles in his so-called dream job. Rewind to last month, when Weis said he expected to end his career at his alma mater:
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
Related: New York Giants
Ah ha……the plot thickens….a $40 million dollar buyout?
September 26th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
43
Edsall is God says:
33 – Auburn does indeed have a pulse, mostly because of its defense obviously. I think that K-State win was pretty good. The Ole Miss loss was a classic hangover lost, if they had pulled it out against USF they wouldn’t have lost it.
It’s tough to gauge teams in the SEC because they could have a pulse and end up 4-8/5-7, see that Vandy team with Jay Cutler a few years back. It’s not like Auburn is Notre Dame bad. They’re going to beat someone this year they shouldn’t. I hope it’s LSU because that would make me laugh.
September 26th, 2007 at 1:32 pm
44
D'Jango says:
It’s too bad that I know you accidentally included UCLA last week. Now I have no reason to lambast you for dropping them after beating a (slightly) better team than the team that beat them.
September 26th, 2007 at 1:34 pm
45
Kevin says:
there’s been enough bitching about people putting Georgia ahead of South Carolina even though they have the same record and SC won head to head in Athens….oh, wait no there hasn’t. So I’ll bitch again. I expect such things from AP media pollsters, but from you, Orson, I expected better.
September 26th, 2007 at 1:39 pm
46
Native says:
#25
Perhaps Trey can blow TT a kiss as he whooses by for another 7-9 yds.
September 26th, 2007 at 1:44 pm
47
Native says:
that would be “whoosh” of course.
September 26th, 2007 at 1:47 pm
48
Edsall is God says:
I hope BC goes 12-0 and left out of the national championship game for an undefeated West Virginia because the Big East is stronger than the ACC this year. Ooohhh, the cruel hand of irony would smack BC so hard…and the city of Boston would be oblivious.
I loathe and despise BC with a passion. No good traitors.
September 26th, 2007 at 1:52 pm
49
Chg says:
I just don’t get that perceptin #12 references. I could understand if there had been a fluke play that decided the outcome (like Davey Pollack’s freak TD in 2002), Uga had moved the ball at will and the Gamecocks had feasted on TO’s, or even if USC had won a close game in Columbia.
However, South Carolina won on the road, never trailed in the game, and their defense controlled UGa’s offense throughout. If anything, the game was not as close the final score indicated.
Neither team did much to cause me to rethink the results this past Saturday. I would be surprised if South Carolina needed OT to beat Alabama, and, assuming the Tigers bring their A game, I’d be absolutely floored if UGa stayed within 20 of LSU in Baton Rouge.
Re 26- Probably. Cincinatti puts 11 men on the field, right?
September 26th, 2007 at 1:54 pm
50
xhack says:
Edsall,
If I had to spend 4 years in Storrs, I’d be pretty angry at the world too.
September 26th, 2007 at 1:56 pm