New Hampshire DB Jake Kiley Commits to Penn State
July 26, 2011 – | No Comment

States like New Hampshire are often overlooked by college recruiters scouring the northeast. With a population of a little over 1.3 million (barely 14.5% of the population of New York City), the talent pool in …

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quebecpenspinning Preseason Blogpoll Ballot

Submitted by on August 18, 20106 Comments

For the second straight year, quebecpenspinning will be participating in Brian Cook‘s Blogpoll. And for the first time, it’ll be hosted at SBNation.

For the uninitiated, the Blogpoll is pretty much exactly what it sounds like: 100 or so bloggers from all over the college football landscape submitting their top 25 ballots. Though it doesn’t count in the BCS formula (yet), it presents a clearer picture of how teams stack up than the AP or Coaches Polls.

Why’s that? Because while reporters and coaches are obsessing over one game, us bloggers are flipping through six or seven. We’ll get to see every big game, and a handful of the smaller ones too. Oh yeah, and we’re totally transparent, so when you decide that I’m an idiot, which you clearly will at some point soon, you can come over here and tell me about it. And here’s the great thing–most weeks we’ll take that into consideration, posting both a preliminary and final ballot.

Now, for those of you who were with us last year, we’re making it a little cleaner here at quebecpenspinning for 2010. Instead of four Blogpoll ballots, you’ll see just one each week, and it’ll be by me.  Here’s my stab at the preseason ballot.  Your input is strongly appreciated.

A few things stand out from what the mainstream media has declared the college football power rankings to be, but before you pile on, give me a chance to explain myself.

Boise State at 1 is, admittedly, a little bit out there. Yes, I know the WAC sucks, and that the Broncos’ entire season pretty much hinges on their season opener, against Virginia Tech.  But this was a team that ran the table last year, and returns pretty much every single starter from a squad that spent the whole season having to live down their conference affiliation.  I don’t remember anyone bitching about Memphis basketball when they were ranked #1 under John Calipari, and they made Conference-USA their version of the WAC.  There are giant question marks surrounding every other team in the country, so why not give a Boise State the benefit of the doubt?  And no, unlike the AP and Coaches Poll voters, I’m not beholden to Boise State.  Even if they run the table, this voting is going to be fluid from week to week. No guarantees here.

Alabama at 4…even I have some trouble defending that. And while the offense will be amongst the best in the country, led by the superlative running back tandem of Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson, and wide receiver Julio Jones, who’s Randy Moss in training, the defense has some serious question marks.  9 of 11 starters from the 2009 national championship unit have graduated or moved on to the NFL regardless, and the new crew has received mixed reviews.  Marcell Dareus and Robby Green, both presumptive starters, were ruled ineligible, and even though I’m sure Nick Saban’s crew will reload and not rebuild, I still can’t justify putting them over three much more complete teams, especially at this junction, before they’ve played a game and proved me wrong.

Arkansas at 11 is another reach, but I’m a big believer in that offense.  Ryan Mallett is surrounded by a tremendous amount of talent, and you can see I don’t think much of the rest of the SEC West.  They even host the Crimson Tide, and I think that’s the best chance (outside of Penn State, of course) for Alabama to trip up early on.  Every other game is eminently winnable, and I’m thinking this is a 10-win team.

I think pretty much every other ranking is within reason–a few spots here and there in a highly flexible preseason ballot really means nothing, since I’m not going to be using this ballot as a template for the rest of the season.  But if you’ve got a gripe, let me hear it.

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  • http://quebecpenspinning.com/ Charlie

    I am surprised you have Alabama below Virginia Tech especially with reigning Heisman Mark Ingram returning. Virginia Tech has a great opportunity to prove they are Top 5 caliber by taking care of Boise State early in the season though.

    I am also very weary of all this preseason love for the Hawkeyes. Of the 11 games they won last season 5 were by a touchdown or less. Although they do play their toughest conference games at home this year (Ohio State, Wisconsin, Penn State all in Iowa City), don’t discount the early scheduling minefield of Iowa State (rivalry), @Arizona, Penn State, @Michigan, Wisconsin and Michigan State. The only team not considered bowl capable this season during that stretch? Iowa State, still a rivalry game and Ball State, sandwiched between @Arizona and Penn State. Lightning could strike twice for the Hawkeyes, but I really wouldn’t count on it.

  • CanadianCougar

    I wouldn’t put Boise State #1. At least not yet. They have the perfect opportunity to prove they are Top 3 when they face Virginia tech. But right now, everyone is talking about how they only lost 1 starter from last year’s squad, but so what. Last years team’s claim to fame was beating Oregon by 11 at home. But isn’t that the same Oregon team that lost to Stanford and then Big Ten champ Ohio State?
    Boise has the same script once again this year with Virginia Tech and Oregon State being their only quality opponents out of a 12 game schedule and having them start as high as #1 further provides them an easier path to the championship game should they get through what is essentially a 2 game schedule.

  • CanadianCougar

    Correction, 1 starter on each side of the ball

  • CanadianCougar

    I wouldn’t put Boise state #1 at least not yet. They have the perfect opportunity to probe they are top 3 when they face Virginia tech. But right now everyone is talking about how they only lost 1 starter on either side from last year’s squad, but so what? Last years team’s claim to fame was beating Oregon at home. But isn’t that the same Oregon team that lost to Stanford and then Big Ten champ Ohio State? Had they started just as high last year they might very well had been in the NC game.
    Boise has the same script once again this year with Virginia Tech and Oregon State being their only quality opponents out of a 12 game schedule. Having them #1 further provides them an easier path to the championship game should they get throughout what is essentially a 2 game season.

  • Jfranklin143

    LOL is all there is to say…Actually I’d like to know if you get paid to suck?

  • Darenp124

    Here’s a hypothetical. With Boise State so high will you keep them #1 for beating virigina tech if they remain undefeated in the WAC over a conference team like Florida State that also managed to beat Virginia tech but loses to say Miami or Georgia Tech in the tougher ACC?