Week 3 Blogpoll: Inert like Helium

By Trev Alberts
formerly of ESPN.com

Just a whole lot of things to get corrected this week. Everything else involves a whole lot of inertia as no one has won big or lost big enough to really uncement the preseason expectations. Except Oregon...because they beat Michigan....a lot. I'm still ready to go crazy-go-nuts with this list as soon as people start playing each other, and that can't come soon enough. At least we had LSU's unholy dismantling of VTech to bring some kind of actual reality to the rankings. A beatdown like that goes a long way to diffuse hypeyness into truthiness.


Outside of that, not a whole lot of stuff shaking up the Periodic Table of Trev:

1. Southern Cal
2. LSU
3. Texas
   
4. West Virginia
5. Oklahoma
   
6. Louisville
   
7. Ohio State
   
8. UCLA
   
9. Oregon
   
10. California
11. Florida
    
12. Wisconsin
13. South Carolina
14. Clemson
    
15. Penn State
    
16. Georgia Tech
17. Virginia Tech
    
18. Nebraska
19. Alabama
    
20. Rutgers
21. South Florida
22. Georgia
    
23. Texas A&M
    
24. Hawaii
25. Washington
    

The breakdown:

The top 5: USC, LSU, Texas, WfnVU, Oklahoma-
This group is stone for the time being, it's really a judgment call where you place USC/LSU and then order the other three. Texas' opener still casts the shadow of doubt, but I'll stay waiting and seeing. Basically, these are the teams that can dismantle almost any opponent right now, and Texas has that within them. Just because the Horns haven't yet is no reason to knock them. Oklahoma Superteam and WVU round out the list with their own brands of offensive fireworks.

The next 5: Louisville, Ohio State, UCLA, Oregon, Cal-
If the first 5 are stone, these guys are Jello. I feel like if I hold onto them too tight, they'll slip through my fingers. Still, their combinations of performance, expectations, and talent has me penciling them in as favorites over most teams outside the top 5. Louisville and tOSU have me waiting to see the other shoe drop. Maybe UL DOESNT score a million points and loses to the next Middle Tennessee. Maybe UW pulls a fast one on the Buckeyes. Who knows? Its not inconceivable. These are our concerns, dude. If I had to call out how the PAC-10 three-way will shake out today, I'm taking UCLA over Oregon over Cal over UCLA.

The middle 10: Florida, Wisconsin, South Carolina, Clemson, Penn State, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Nebraska, Alabama, Rutgers-
Here's where it gets interesting. This is the vast creamy middle of top 25 logjammy goodness that has almost every team save USC/LSU watching their backs. Every one is primed to take a spot in the top 10 with a marquee win and accompanying leapfrog. The 'Cocks do us proud with their win over the Dawgs: Phil Steele power! Clemson runs past Penn State to pile on to their FSU victory...and because ND almost counts as a bye week with that dismal display. The Hokies fall to 17, a fair spot if they find some offense of their own. Nebraska had problems with Wake, and Rutgers gets no love from me for beating Navy. Why? Because I love America, that's why!

The last 5: USF, Georgia, Texas A&M, Hawaii, Washington -
Oh, the controversy! The kid feels physical pain every time I mention the Huskies in the top 25. Frankly, I can't believe it, but Boise State is a good win, which is more than most 2-0 teams can say right now. Do I take any other top 25 team over them? Hell, yes! Fun while it lasts, though. USF gets the bump from taking on Auburn and my hubris that they could take Georgia. A&M and Hawaii get no credit for their non-conference squeakers.

The mysterious remains:
Arkansas, Tennessee, Auburn, BYU, and Arizona State(1)
Ok, the whole thing is driving me up the wall with the SEC teams. I can't rank all of you, and you don't play anyone until conference play. Well, the Vols did, but they lost. They get the nod here as they'll likely play their way back in. Auburn? I'm completely clueless. Arkansas gets out of here with a win against Alabama, as they are still the recipients of my irrational hate. Sweet Xbox team, though. BYU gave UCLA a game, so we'll keep an eye an eye out on the Mormons. ASU....still so tempting...gets a look after beating Division I Football!!!!11!11!!! Colorado.

Trev Alberts is not a recognized Blogpoller. He wears a fake mustache.