Some of my brethren scribes outside the Associated Press poll have gone public with their own top 25. I’m joining the fray, knowing it has no more clout with the BCS than picks made by the claw marks of Schlepp the Wonder Aardvark.
When the writers’ AP poll counted in the BCS rankings, we were always told go heavy on results. Obviously, the coaches didn’t get the memo. Why else would they drop USC only seven spots to No. 10 after the Trojans lost to a Washington team that went 0-12 last year, yet BYU free fell 10 spots to 19th after losing to Florida State?
With the Harris Poll coming out Sunday, below is how I see the top 10, based purely (almost) on performance.
1. Florida.
OK, so Lane Kiffin got out of the Swamp alive. Florida still has 18 starters back from its title team. Until it loses, it’s the team to beat.
2. Miami.
No team has a tougher September schedule. Yet the Hurricanes won at Florida State, buried Georgia Tech and unleashed a sensational new quarterback in sophomore Jacory Harris, the missing piece to Randy Shannon’s puzzle.
3. Alabama.
Any team that beats Frank Beamer’s Virginia Tech squad on a neutral field to open the season gets props from me. It’s Miami’s turn in Hokieville next.
4. Houston.
That’s right. Houston. Find a more impressive win than the Cougars’ victory at Oklahoma State. If they beat Texas Tech at home Saturday, they enter the BCS buster picture.
5. Texas.
So what if Colt McCoy isn’t putting up Heisman numbers? Defense wins championships, and the Longhorns’ D was terrific against Texas Tech.
6. Boise State.
Its defense may have knocked Oregon out of the rankings for the year, and its offense rolled at Fresno State. The Broncos should be this year’s Utah.
7. LSU.
The Tigers won at Washington. Enough said. Right, USC?
8. Florida State.
Hey, Bowden Baiters. Where are your burning stakes now? No one embarrasses BYU in Provo. No one. Have fun Saturday, CSU.
9. Cincinnati.
It’s the only team to go on the road and beat two BCS schools. Winning at Rutgers and Oregon State isn’t exactly beating Akron, Syracuse and Temple at home, in case you’re looking for Penn State here.
10. California.
I’m giving Cal this consolation spot merely for having the best player in the country, tailback Jahvid Best.
