{mosimage} As dumb as the poll itself, is the arguing that goes down between fans who are bound to lose every unreasonable argument on the basis that they could be doing more productive things, such as research.

Mark me down as someone who can't help but join in on these conversations. All you have to do is read a BCS thread on ESPN to know that fans, each and every week, react quickly to the latest weekend in sports to say ridiculous things. Last week the big question: who can beat LSU? Well, if we had waited a week we would known to say Kentucky and probably a bunch of other teams. You know, say UF, given that they don't blow a lead amidst a very hostile and oh-so-sure of themselves Tiger Nation.

Ohio State has weaseled their way into the #1 spot. So shoot them why don't ya? Oh, I guess I'm too late with that statement. People are crying that USF should be in the top spot based on their two quality wins. Ok, cool, but 2 is as good as 1 in BCS land, so I'm not sure what everyone is pissed about.

People are crying about Ohio State's schedule, but their last 5 games will prove if they deserve in the title game (MSU, @PSU, Wisconsin, Illinois, @Michigan). I've read a couple threads that stated, "Ohio State could not beat any SEC team ranked in the top 25." Well, they play two teams that accomplished that amazing feat in their bowl games in 2007, so we'll see. As noted several times, the Big Ten held an advantage in Bowl games over SEC opponents, 2-1.

The SEC is a great conference with talented teams and depth, probably the best conference in all the land but they've all proven vulnerable.

I've seen CAL fans claiming the Big Ten is absolutely horrible and it's not fair OSU can just breeze through their schedule 2 years in a row. That's funny, because that was the USC Trojans argument for years. Or the argument against the validity of the Miami Hurricanes when they were in the Big East. It's a bit obsurd. For many fans, facts of the past and results of the future (such as end of season records and NFL draft picks) mean very little to those fans who like to say "overrated."

Ranking the Conferences at this point

1. SEC
2. Pac 10
3. Big 12
4. Big 10
5. ACC
6. Big East

Analyses starting at the bottom:

Look, I had USF in my pre-season top 25 and was at the asswhooping they gave wannabe rival UCF but the Big East top to bottom is the worst. USF could win out but games @Rutgers, Louisville and Cincinnati will be tough.

The ACC is down, period. Pretty much on par with the Big East. How 'bout another realignment! B.C. is tough but they lack elite teams at this point.

The Pac 10, Big 12 and Big 10 are almost even in my book.

The Big 10 is having a down year but not as bad as some would like to think. Despite their record against the SEC in bowl games a season ago, they pretty much sucked in the rest of their games. This year, don't expect Big 10 teams to get into Bowl games they don't belong in. Match-ups such as Texas vs. Iowa were a joke last year (even though it was close). The Big 10 hype with OSU and UM was crazy stupid, as SEC fans like to remind over and over.

The Big 12 has Texas Tech, Missouri, Texas and Oklahoma representing the best of their best. Texas is down. Texas Tech passes a bunch, still. Missouri has a solid team and can compete at a high level. Oklahoma is the only team that could win the rest of their games. Nebraska has been exposed not only for lacking talent, but they've looked pretty much hopeless as of late.

The Pac 10 is as deep as they've been since forever ago but USC is clearly not as good as before. Losing to Stanford does not prove depth in conference talent, rather, big holes on the team that once stood on top. Cal sucks against the pass and don't have a good defense overall. Oregon is as solid as ever and really needed to beat Cal at home. Washington has a great young QB and have improved, but that's it. And oh yeah, there is that ASU team too, who always seem to sneak to the top when they arrive on the scene.

The SEC is on top, with the best coaches and players, top to bottom. Kentucky is having their best season in forever. South Carolina is not as flashy as Spurrier teams of the past but can compete with anyone. Auburn and Tennessee are vulnerable as hell but still solid. Florida and LSU have the most talented teams, while Arkansas and Georgia are having bad seasons for what is expected. When the Bulldogs celebrate after beating Vandy, then that's a bad season. Alabama is another solid team who should finish middle of the pack in the SEC, earning a Bowl bid as Saban focuses on "next year."

I'm not stupid

Yes I am. Still, I understand why SEC fans are upset; their teams have all lost. And last year, because a team from their conference slobberknocked then #1 OSU, that clearly means the Buckeyes are way overrated and their whole conference sucks. Sure, sounds like the right thing to say at first glance. But really, most teams have 5-6 games remaining so if anyone goes undefeated they are deserving of a title shot. As it is looking, a one loss team or two will also make it, which should make SEC fans happy because the voters will most likely favor them. Don't believe me, look at UF during both of their title runs, when both of those teams were voted in.

Sure, if OSU goes undefeated, which is unlikely, then they will probably meet a worthy 1 loss foe. The difference is, the Buckeyes will feel disrespected, just like the Florida Gators did one year ago. Just like Texas did against USC in 2005. Just like LSU vs. Oklahoma in 2004. Just like Ohio State vs. Miami in 2003. And the list goes on and on.

Overrated? Maybe a little bit, but who cares? This season is barely half over so save your political agenda until bowl season is over or else it's just wasted energy.

The only thing overrated are polls themselves, along with the half-ass quick to judge fanatics who live, die and cry everyday as a result of them. The thing people fail to realize that every week brings new upsets, unbeatable teams exposed and a certain balance to the college game. It's what makes college football 2007 fantastic. Stop making definite statements people, you are better than that and you'll only eat your own words.

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Bugeatersteve said:

	Lloyds, I can't believe that you just completely turned you back on the "Stout" Sun Belt conference. I am certain that at this point Florida International can play with NEBRASKA!!!
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October 15, 2007
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JEH45 said:

	Lloyds you stopped me on the stupid part! Count this Buckeye fan as wishing we were #2, and one that recognizes our challenges are ahead of us and not behind us. The other weird thing about this system is if you are going to get beat, get beat early. Kindof makes those late season "big" games seem kindof stupid for the loser.
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October 15, 2007
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ZoSo said:

Right on, the polls shouldn't come out until week 8 and that would eliminate alot of preseason bias and guess work. that being said, there are too many people that freak out once the BCS is announced. Chill out, things will work out in the end, they ussually do. Teams will lose and the best two will play for the title. For now, just watch the games and shut it. Just a reminder to all of you in college football land.... the BCS was designed as a system that would determine two teams to play for the championship when there are several with equal records. I am tired of hearing ESPN and others say that the BCS is failing when there aren't just 2 undefeated teams. If there were just 2 undefeated teams we wouldn't need the BCS. The BCS is there to determine which 2 teams will play in the championship when there are several teams that are unbeaten or have just one loss. Therefore, by definition the BCS always does it's job. Whether or not you agree with the formula used to determine these 2 teams is what our debates should be directed at, and not whether or not the BCS works, because it has never failed to determine 2 teams to play for the championship. Damn I love college football

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October 19, 2007
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