THE “Preseason” Uncle Popov Top 23
As promised, below is the new, restructured Uncle Popov Top 23. Because it is a ranking that measures previous seasons, it is technically NOT a “preseason” poll, but just the first release of the new season. And because it is the first, all 120 teams will be listed. Future rankings for the 2011 season will only include the Top 23.
Also for this release, I will quickly highlight the Top Five. Starting with…
#5. LSU Tigers
Despite a weak 2008 season, LSU has come on strong in each of the past two seasons. They are 26-10 over the past three season with two bowl wins. They were also ninth in the conference measure, and 20th in recruiting.
#4. Utah Utes
The first of what will likely be two surprises in the Top Five. Utah gets a slight boost from its affiliation with the Pac-12, which aids in the recruiting measure. However, Utah has earned it by ranking seventh in the winning percentage measure, tenth in points, and 21st in statistics. That the Utes have an undefeated season during the last three years helps as well.
#3. Florida Gators
Holding the number one ranking in the conference measure and going 3-0 in bowl games helps catapult the Florida Gators into the number three slot. The winning from 2008 and 2009 is enough to overcome the dismal 2010 season. The Gators are top eight across all measures, including recruiting, statistics, and points.
#2. TCU Horned Frogs
The second “surprise” is not Boise State, but TCU. The Horned Frogs are carried by their 34-2 regular season record, second only to Boise State (36-1). Despite a weak conference measure, TCU is helped out by strong showings elsewhere, including tops in stats and points, and third in recruiting.
#1. Alabama Crimson Tide
No bias; just the way the formula worked. But consider that Alabama is 34-4 over the last three seasons, including an undefeated season (2009). Alabama also performs well in the SEC, has solid recruiting (11th), and is second in stats and fourth in points. But, as you will see below, the difference between Alabama, TCU and Florida are miniscule.
THE RANKINGS!!!
|
Rank |
TEAM |
Points |
|
1 |
Alabama |
17.89043 |
|
2 |
TCU |
17.78707 |
|
3 |
Florida |
17.07217 |
|
4 |
Utah |
15.55214 |
|
5 |
LSU |
14.85859 |
|
6 |
Boise State |
14.82636 |
|
7 |
Oklahoma |
14.592 |
|
8 |
Ohio State |
14.4307 |
|
9 |
Oregon |
14.43032 |
|
10 |
Auburn |
13.81816 |
|
11 |
Oklahoma State |
13.57177 |
|
12 |
BYU |
13.24133 |
|
13 |
Penn State |
13.24096 |
|
14 |
Texas |
13.24059 |
|
15 |
West Virginia |
13.194 |
|
16 |
Pittsburgh |
13.06162 |
|
17 |
Georgia |
12.98201 |
|
18 |
Virginia Tech |
12.83015 |
|
19 |
Texas Tech |
12.69613 |
|
20 |
Nebraska |
12.62053 |
|
21 |
Southern California |
12.58605 |
|
22 |
Missouri |
12.4964 |
|
23 |
Cincinnati |
12.48971 |
|
24 |
Arkansas |
12.47013 |
|
25 |
Wisconsin |
12.32671 |
|
26 |
South Carolina |
12.21475 |
|
27 |
Florida State |
12.16305 |
|
28 |
USF |
12.04429 |
|
29 |
Iowa |
11.9862 |
|
30 |
Air Force |
11.8588 |
|
31 |
Georgia Tech |
11.78414 |
|
32 |
Michigan State |
11.71923 |
|
33 |
Connecticut |
11.61153 |
|
34 |
Miami (FL) |
11.51217 |
|
35 |
Mississippi |
11.38115 |
|
36 |
Stanford |
11.37862 |
|
37 |
Nevada |
11.31841 |
|
38 |
North Carolina |
11.26269 |
|
39 |
Navy |
10.86184 |
|
40 |
Boston College |
10.80299 |
|
41 |
Kentucky |
10.68246 |
|
42 |
Arizona |
10.63471 |
|
43 |
Clemson |
10.5661 |
|
44 |
Rutgers |
10.44809 |
|
45 |
Oregon State |
10.40784 |
|
46 |
Northwestern |
10.34275 |
|
47 |
California |
10.23592 |
|
48 |
Tulsa |
10.22405 |
|
49 |
Tennessee |
10.09603 |
|
50 |
Fresno State |
10.08547 |
|
51 |
Notre Dame |
10.08151 |
|
52 |
Mississippi State |
9.958831 |
|
53 |
Troy |
9.912303 |
|
54 |
East Carolina |
9.882497 |
|
55 |
North Carolina State |
9.71354 |
|
56 |
Houston |
9.628767 |
|
57 |
Southern Miss |
9.455657 |
|
58 |
Texas A&M |
9.451425 |
|
59 |
Central Florida |
9.449188 |
|
60 |
Hawai’i |
9.218204 |
|
61 |
Northern Illinois |
9.061393 |
|
62 |
Maryland |
8.797542 |
|
63 |
Central Michigan |
8.758142 |
|
64 |
Temple |
8.705429 |
|
65 |
Louisville |
8.633115 |
|
66 |
Kansas State |
8.553864 |
|
67 |
Ohio |
8.246658 |
|
68 |
Western Michigan |
8.136687 |
|
69 |
Baylor |
8.115785 |
|
70 |
Middle Tennessee State |
8.113156 |
|
71 |
Syracuse |
8.06747 |
|
72 |
Minnesota |
8.066282 |
|
73 |
Michigan |
8.063975 |
|
74 |
Kansas |
7.939731 |
|
75 |
Wake Forest |
7.84697 |
|
76 |
Louisiana Tech |
7.76822 |
|
77 |
Illinois |
7.757467 |
|
78 |
Arizona State |
7.69264 |
|
79 |
California-Los Angeles |
7.67088 |
|
80 |
San Diego State |
7.492249 |
|
81 |
SMU |
7.39699 |
|
82 |
Iowa State |
7.334595 |
|
83 |
Wyoming |
7.241344 |
|
84 |
Marshall |
7.224152 |
|
85 |
Toledo |
7.153301 |
|
86 |
Colorado |
7.110038 |
|
87 |
Rice |
7.086567 |
|
88 |
Ball State |
7.047262 |
|
89 |
Purdue |
7.025077 |
|
90 |
Colorado State |
6.953747 |
|
91 |
Idaho |
6.91076 |
|
92 |
Vanderbilt |
6.898837 |
|
93 |
Bowling Green |
6.809728 |
|
94 |
UTEP |
6.808983 |
|
95 |
Washington |
6.758992 |
|
96 |
Virginia |
6.715944 |
|
97 |
Florida International |
6.706673 |
|
98 |
Florida Atlantic |
6.696029 |
|
99 |
UL-Monroe |
6.569504 |
|
100 |
Buffalo |
6.560032 |
|
101 |
UL-Lafayette |
6.522496 |
|
102 |
Arkansas State |
6.442433 |
|
103 |
Duke |
6.423796 |
|
104 |
Army |
6.377014 |
|
105 |
Kent State |
6.37058 |
|
106 |
UAB |
6.317981 |
|
107 |
UNLV |
6.308696 |
|
108 |
Indiana |
6.270129 |
|
109 |
Utah State |
6.033528 |
|
110 |
Miami (OH) |
6.005618 |
|
111 |
Memphis |
5.321399 |
|
112 |
Tulane |
5.2164 |
|
113 |
San Jose State |
5.165937 |
|
114 |
Akron |
4.781107 |
|
115 |
New Mexico State |
4.696945 |
|
116 |
New Mexico |
4.597747 |
|
117 |
North Texas |
4.222444 |
|
118 |
Washington State |
3.948354 |
|
119 |
Eastern Michigan |
3.936388 |
|
120 |
Western Kentucky |
3.781831 |
The U.P. Top 25 [Week 9]
This is the ninth Uncle Popov Top 25, based on college football games through week thirteen.
| RANK | TEAM | POINTS | LAST WK |
| 1 | Texas (2) | 74 | 1 |
| 2 | Alabama (1) | 71 | 2 |
| 3 | Florida | 69 | 3 |
| 4 | TCU | 68 | 4 |
| 5 | Boise State | 61 | 6 |
| 6 | Cincinnati | 60 | 5 |
| 7 | Georgia Tech | 59 | 7 |
| 8 | Pittsburgh | 53 | 8 |
| 9 | Oregon | 51 | 9 |
| 10 | Ohio State | 48 | 9 |
| 11 | Oklahoma State | 42 | 14 |
| 12 | Penn State | 39 | 12 |
| 12 | Iowa | 39 | 14 |
| 14 | BYU | 31 | 16 |
| 15 | Clemson | 24 | 18 |
| 16 | Temple | 23 | 20 |
| 17 | Utah | 21 | 19 |
| 18 | Oregon State | 20 | 22 |
| 19 | Houston | 19 | 23 |
| 20 | LSU | 16 | 11 |
| 21 | Virginia Tech | 14 | 20 |
| 21 | North Carolina | 14 | NR |
| 23 | Navy | 11 | 24 |
| 23 | Mississippi | 11 | NR |
| 25 | Central Michigan | 10 | 24 |
Others Receiving Votes: Miami, FL (9); Nevada (7); Nebraska (6); Troy (4); Stanford (1)
Dropped Out: Stanford, Wisconsin
Conference Breakdown:
- ACC: four
- SEC: four
- Big Ten: three
- Mountain West: three
- Big East: two
- Big 12: two
- MAC: two
- Pac-10: two
- Conference USA: one
- Independent: one
- WAC: one
The U.P. Top 25 [Week 8]
This is the eighth Uncle Popov Top 25, based on college football games through week twelve.
| RANK | TEAM | POINTS | LAST WK |
| 1 | Texas (2) | 97 | 1 |
| 2 | Alabama (1) | 96 | 2 |
| 3 | Florida (1) | 93 | 3 |
| 4 | TCU | 89 | 4 |
| 5 | Cincinnati | 82 | 6 |
| 6 | Boise State | 81 | 5 |
| 7 | Georgia Tech | 77 | 7 |
| 8 | Pittsburgh | 71 | 8 |
| 9 | Oregon | 64 | 12 |
| 9 | Ohio State | 64 | 12 |
| 11 | LSU | 58 | 9 |
| 12 | Penn State | 48 | 17 |
| 13 | Wisconsin | 44 | 20 |
| 14 | Iowa | 41 | 11 |
| 14 | Oklahoma State | 41 | 19 |
| 16 | BYU | 35 | 25 |
| 17 | Stanford | 33 | NR |
| 18 | Clemson | 25 | NR |
| 19 | Utah | 24 | 12 |
| 20 | Temple | 19 | 21 |
| 20 | Virginia Tech | 19 | NR |
| 22 | Oregon State | 17 | NR |
| 23 | Houston | 15 | 10 |
| 24 | Navy | 13 | 24 |
| 24 | Central Michigan | 13 | NR |
Others Receiving Votes: Rutgers (12); Miami, FL (10); South Carolina (6); Nebraska (5); Nevada (3); Troy (2); Arizona (1); North Carolina (1)
Dropping Out: Arizona, Miami (FL), South Florida, Troy, USC
Conference Breakdown:
- Big Ten: four
- ACC: three
- Mountain West: three
- Pac-10: three
- SEC: three
- Big East: two
- Big 12: two
- MAC: two
- Conference USA: one
- Independents: one
- WAC: one
The U.P. Top 25 [Week 7]
This is the seventh week of the Uncle Popov Top 25 poll, based on games through week ten.
| RANK | TEAM | POINTS | LAST WK |
| 1 | Texas (2) | 73 | 1 |
| 2 | Alabama (1) | 71 | 3 |
| 3 | Florida | 70 | 2 |
| 4 | TCU | 67 | 5 |
| 5 | Boise State | 63 | 4 |
| 6 | Cincinnati | 61 | 5 |
| 7 | Georgia Tech | 57 | 10 |
| 8 | Pittsburgh | 51 | 12 |
| 9 | LSU | 48 | 9 |
| 10 | Houston | 45 | 12 |
| 11 | Iowa | 44 | 7 |
| 12 | Oregon | 39 | 8 |
| 12 | Utah | 39 | 14 |
| 12 | Ohio State | 39 | 18 |
| 15 | Miami (FL) | 31 | 15 |
| 15 | Arizona | 31 | 16 |
| 17 | Penn State | 25 | 11 |
| 18 | USC | 24 | 17 |
| 19 | Oklahoma State | 21 | 19 |
| 20 | Wisconsin | 12 | 21 |
| 21 | Temple | 11 | 23 |
| 22 | South Florida | 10 | 22 |
| 22 | Troy | 10 | 25 |
| 24 | Navy | 8 | NR |
| 25 | BYU | 6 | NR |
Also Receiving Vote: Virginia Tech (5); Nevada (4); West Virginia (4); Clemson (3); Auburn (2); Stanford (1)
Dropping Out: California, Notre Dame
Conference Breakdown:
- Big Ten: four
- Big East: three
- Mountain West: three
- Pac-10: three
- SEC: three
- ACC: two
- Big 12: two
- Conference USA: one
- Independents: one
- MAC: one
- Sun Belt: one
- WAC: one
The U.P. Top 25 [Week 6]
This is the sixth week of the Uncle Popov Top 25, based on games through Week Nine of the college football season.
| RANK | TEAM | POINTS | LAST WK |
| 1 | Texas (2) |
97 | 3 |
| 2 | Florida (1) |
97 | 1 |
| 3 | Alabama (1) | 93 | 2 |
| 4 | Boise State | 84 | 4 |
| 5 | Cincinnati | 82 | 4 |
| 5 | TCU | 82 | 4 |
| 7 | Iowa | 80 | 7 |
| 8 | Oregon | 72 | 10 |
| 9 | LSU | 69 | 9 |
| 10 | Georgia Tech | 62 | 11 |
| 11 | Penn State | 60 | 12 |
| 12 | Pittsburgh | 56 | 16 |
| 13 | Houston | 51 | 15 |
| 14 | Utah | 43 | 17 |
| 15 | Miami (FL) | 42 | 19 |
| 16 | Arizona | 37 | 23 |
| 17 | USC | 36 | 8 |
| 18 | Ohio State | 32 | 21 |
| 19 | Oklahoma State | 28 | 13 |
| 20 | California | 19 | NR |
| 21 | Wisconsin | 13 | NR |
| 22 | South Florida | 12 | NR |
| 23 | Temple | 10 | NR |
| 23 | Notre Dame |
10 | NR |
| 25 | Troy | 7 | NR |
Also Receiving Votes: Oklahoma (6); Virginia Tech (5); Navy (5); Clemson (3); Nevada (3); BYU (2); Central Michigan (1)
Dropping Out: Virginia Tech, South Carolina, Central Michigan, Navy, Mississippi, West Virginia
Conference Breakdown:
- Big Ten: four
- Pac-10: four
- Big East: three
- SEC: three
- ACC: two
- Big 12: two
- Mountain West: two
- Conference USA: one
- Independents: one
- MAC: one
- Sun Belt: one
- WAC: one
The U.P. Top 25 [Week 5]
Hooray! Five voters this week! And Florida regains the top spot.
[Updated at 1630 after an investigation into vote distribution; error on the Uncle!].
| RANK | TEAM | POINTS | LAST WK |
| 1 | Florida (2) |
121 | 2 |
| 2 | Alabama (1) |
120 | 1 |
| 3 | Texas (2) | 119 | 3 |
| 4 | Boise State | 102 | 4 |
| 4 | Cincinnati | 102 | 4 |
| 4 | TCU | 102 | 8 |
| 7 | Iowa | 99 | 4 |
| 8 | USC | 92 | 7 |
| 9 | LSU | 86 | 10 |
| 10 | Oregon | 76 | 11 |
| 11 | Georgia Tech | 75 | 13 |
| 12 | Penn State | 72 | 11 |
| 13 | Oklahoma State | 65 | 14 |
| 14 | Virginia Tech | 52 | 15 |
| 15 | Houston | 50 | 17 |
| 16 | Pittsburgh | 48 | 18 |
| 17 | Utah | 46 | 18 |
| 18 | West Virginia |
37 | 24 |
| 19 | Miami (FL) |
34 | 9 |
| 20 | South Carolina | 26 | 21 |
| 21 | Ohio State | 23 | 22 |
| 22 | Central Michigan | 17 | 22 |
| 23 | Arizona | 16 | NR |
| 24 | Navy | 14 | 24 |
| 25 | Mississippi | 12 | NR |
Others Receiving Votes: BYU (7); California (4); Temple (3); Oklahoma (2); Kansas (1); Kentucky (1); Troy (1)
Dropping Out: Kansas, BYU
Conference Breakdown:
- SEC: five
- ACC: three
- Big East: three
- Big Ten: three
- Pac-10: three
- Big 12: two
- Mountain West: two
- Conference USA: one
- Independents: one
- MAC: one
- WAC: one
The U.P. Top 25 [Week 4]
Has interest waned? No Crumb this week (although be promises to be back next week), but still have three voters active this week…so here we go…
| RANK | TEAM | POINTS | LAST WK |
| 1 | Alabama (2) | 74 | 1 |
| 2 | Florida (1) | 73 | 2 |
| 3 | Texas | 69 | 3 |
| 4 | Boise State | 60 | 4 |
| 4 | Cincinnati | 60 | 6 |
| 4 | Iowa | 60 | 9 |
| 7 | USC | 59 | 7 |
| 8 | TCU | 57 | 8 |
| 9 | Miami (FL) | 51 | 17 |
| 10 | LSU | 50 | 11 |
| 11 | Penn State | 43 | 13 |
| 11 | Oregon | 43 | 16 |
| 13 | Georgia Tech | 42 | 18 |
| 14 | Oklahoma State | 35 | 14 |
| 15 | Virginia Tech | 29 | 5 |
| 16 | BYU | 27 | 24 |
| 17 | Houston | 24 | 21 |
| 18 | Utah | 23 | 23 |
| 18 | Pittsburgh | 23 | 25 |
| 20 | Kansas | 18 | 12 |
| 21 | South Carolina | 10 | 20 |
| 22 | Ohio State | 8 | 10 |
| 22 | Central Michigan | 8 | 25 |
| 24 | Navy | 6 | NR |
| 24 | West Virginia | 6 | NR |
Others Receiving Votes: South Florida (5); Texas Tech (5); Mississippi (4); Boston College (3)
Dropping Out: Oklahoma, Nebraska
Conference Breakdown:
- SEC: 4
- ACC: 3
- Big East: 3
- Big Ten: 3
- Big 12: 3
- Mountain West: 3
- Pac-10: 2
- Conference USA: 1
- Independents: 1
- MAC: 1
- WAC: 1
The U.P. Top 25 [week three]
Week three sees a new number one despite a split in the top votes. We also see the entrance of a MAC team, thanks to one voter constantly voting for the Chippewas. And no, I cannot explain Oregon’s four-spot drop.
Three voters abstaining again (same three jackasses as last week). Here is the third week of the Uncle Popov Top 25 (or 26, this week), based on week six of the college football season.
- Alabama – 98 points (2)
- Florida – 97 points (2)
- Texas – 93 points
- Boise State – 81 points [tie]
- Virginia Tech – 81 points [tie]
- Cincinnati – 79 points
- USC – 75 points
- TCU – 69 points [tie]
- Iowa – 69 points [tie]
- Ohio State – 65 points
- LSU – 61 points
- Kansas – 59 points
- Penn State – 47 points
- Oklahoma State – 42 points
- Nebraska – 40 points
- Oregon – 36 points
- Miami (FL) – 35 points
- Georgia Tech - 30 points
- South Florida – 25 points
- South Carolina – 20 points
- Houston – 17 points
- Oklahoma – 16 points [tie]
- Utah – 16 points [tie]
- BYU – 14 points
- Central Michigan – 7 points [tie]
- Pittsburgh – 7 points [tie]
Others Receiving Votes: Missouri (2); Auburn (1); Mississippi (1); Michigan (1)
Dropping Out: Auburn, Mississippi, Missouri, Michigan
Conference Breakdown:
- Big 12: five
- SEC: four
- ACC: three
- Big East: three
- Big Ten: three
- Mountain West: three
- Pac-10: two
- Conference USA: one
- MAC: one
- WAC: one
The U.P. Top 25 [Week Two]
This is second week of the Uncle Popov Top 25, based on the fifth week of college football. Four voters, with three abstaining (Blake, Dogg, Run). Although, if those voters get their votes in, I will add it.
- Florida – 97 points (2)
- Alabama – 97 points (1)
- Texas – 94 points (1)
- LSU – 83 points
- Boise State – 79 points
- Virginia Tech – 78 points
- Cincinnati – 76 points
- USC - 72 points
- TCU – 70 points
- Iowa – 63 points
- Ohio State – 62 points
- Oregon – 50 points
- Oklahoma State – 45 points [tie]
- Kansas – 45 points [tie]
- Penn State – 43 points
- Auburn – 34 points
- Mississippi – 31 points
- Miami (FL) – 27 points
- Nebraska – 26 points
- Missouri – 17 points
- Oklahoma – 16 points [tie]
- Georgia Tech – 16 points [tie]
- Michigan – 10 points [tie]
- South Carolina – 10 points [tie]
- Houston - 9 points
Others Receiving Votes: Wisconsin (8); BYU (8); Utah (6); South Florida (6); Central Michigan (4); Georgia (3); Stanford (1)
Dropping Out: California; Georgia
Conference Breakdown:
- Big 12 – six
- SEC – six
- Big Ten – four
- ACC – three
- Pac-10 – two
- Big East – one
- Conference USA – one
- Mountain West – one
- WAC – one
The U.P. Top 25 [Week One]
This is the Uncle Popov Top 25. It is the first week for the poll, but based on results after week four in the FBS college football season. Currently, we only have four voters, so if you would like to join in, contact the Uncle!
- Florida - 97 points (2)
- Alabama - 97 points (1)
- Texas - 96 points (1)
- Boise State - 85 points
- LSU - 82 points
- Virginia Tech - 76 points
- Houston - 72 points
- TCU - 70 points
- USC - 69 points
- Cincinnati - 68 points
- Iowa - 62 points
- Ohio State - 56 points
- Oklahoma State - 45 points
- Oklahoma - 44 points
- Penn State - 37 points
- Kansas - 35 points
- Oregon - 31 points
- Georgia - 27 points [tie]
- Michigan - 27 points [tie]
- Mississippi - 26 points
- Nebraska - 25 points
- Auburn - 11 points
- California - 10 points [tie]
- Miami (FL) - 10 points [tie]
- Missouri - 10 points [tie]
Others Receiving Votes: Georgia Tech (9); South Carolina (9); Utah (9); Wisconsin (6); South Florida (2); Central Michigan (1)
Conference Breakdown:
- Big 12: six teams
- SEC: six teams
- Big Ten: four teams
- Pac-10: three teams
- ACC: two teams
- Big East: one team
- C-USA: one team
- Mountain West: one team
- WAC: one team
