NDL Media Poll Review Block 4
Article By: This week will take a less centered focus on the top 10. With 3 blocks of voting in so far, 9 of the 10 teams who were in the preseason top 10 are still there. The only missing team lost to another one of the top 10 teams. While Florida did peek its head in briefly it lost and now Missouri holds that 10 spot.
There was some mostly meaningless shuffling in the top 9. We now have 7 of the top 10 teams and 6 of the top 7 in the SEC. While those very well might be the best teams/coaches, once games get played teams will start falling out as they play each other.
11. USC (17)
Working his way into the top 11 which would mean a CFP spot after being left on the cutting room floor last year. The Michigan win impressed helping him get a 6 spot boost, but as of now the strength of schedule could be a similar issue to what it was last year. Penn State’s loss to UCLA could get him out of the top 25 for their matchup in a couple blocks. Notre Dame is there to end the year. He has to at minimum split those games. Will be interesting to see how that final game plays out if he is 11-1 and loses, how far would it drop him with a poorly timed loss.
12. Texas Tech (15)
I feel as though I have been hearing people doubt the rank and then on Gameday a lot of people picked Cincy, yet he is at number 12 in the media poll so some people out there believe.
Three big blowout wins to start the year, then squeaked by Arizona State to kickoff conference play. Cincinnati this block seems to be the real test. Although Cincy is 3-0 to date, he hasn’t exactly dominated the competition.
13. Colorado (18)
Fresh off a big scare against Baylor, some more believers jumped on board. But, that game could have also proved some doubters right as the defense was destroyed. The offense shouldn’t be an issue this season, as seen with Baylor, it will come down to can the defense get some stops.
14. Louisville (12)
Didn’t get a game in last block and it might have cost him a spot or two. He has three big games unlocked now. Specifically Notre Dame and Georgia Tech, sorry Block.
If he can sweep these three games it wouldn’t shock me to see him get up to 11, maybe even crack the top 10 if things go his way ahead of him.
15. Notre Dame (14)
Dropped a spot this week. I think he got games in later after a lot of people might have already submitted their polls.
As mentioned with Louisville, he has that big game this block. It is early, but we could already be looking at Notre Dame being on watch for being out of the playoffs if he drops that one. With no conference championship to help him earn his way in.
16. Florida (10)
The Texas A&M loss cost him 6 spots in the polls. His schedule is ridiculous and he will have plenty of chances to win his way back inside the top 10, but he also has plenty of chances to lose his way out of the top 25.
17. Washington State (20)
I keep saying it, that schedule is easy enough that I see a 12-0 season coming. I do continue to say that while also forgetting a little that Washington State is only an 82 overall itself.
One of his few big games this year is unlocked as he gets Boise. I think his entire season is a playoff as he can’t drop any in my opinion and still work his way into the top 12. Other teams like Central Michigan, USF, etc have the ability to get in being the highest ranked conference champion, he doesn’t have that path.
He will continue to slowly climb if he keeps winning, but I also see weeks where he has a 2-0 block but a one loss SEC, Big 10, Big 12, ACC team jumps him with a 2-0 block.
18. Penn State (19)
This ranking comes before his loss to UCLA so there is a decent chance we could see him tumble out of the top 25 this week.
19. Central Michigan (21)
Not getting the undefeated love that Washington State is when the two teams have almost identical SOS numbers.That being said, CMU does find himself in a better spot to get his way into the CFP.
20. Ohio State (13)
The voters seem to really be hammering him for not playing games now. Dropping 7 spots at still 0-0 on the season.
21. Miami (22)
Almost could have put any CFP hopes to bed, but had a massive comeback win against San Diego State to save it. While not a conference game a second loss at this point possibly pushing him out of the top 25 would have taken a fight to earn his way back in.
22. Oklahoma (16)
His loss to a top 10 Tennessee team cost him a little more and about the same as teams who lost to unranked teams. It could in part have been because maybe people weren’t fully sold on him at Oklahoma.
Like Florida above. His schedule is tough and he will have plenty of chances to make up for this loss, but plenty to keep him from not being ranked as well.
23. USF (23)
Big block for him this week. Arguably the conference championship in week 5 and then a good UCF team with it.
I can see him creeping into the top 20, maybe even ahead of CMU, if he wins both.
24. Auburn (NR)
One of only 2 teams to creep into the top 25 that was unranked before. But it will be short lived as he took a loss to Arkansas. Unless he can shock the world and have a 2-0 block beating the likes of Oklahoma and Georgia we likely won’t see him in the top 25 again for a while.
25. Texas A&M (NR)
A big win over Florida had him creep into the top 25. He was still out of mine as he had a loss and I ended up putting Auburn in the 25 spot who at the time was undefeated. A&M will have 2 big chances to climb this week with games against Arkansas and tenth ranked Missouri.
The others
Florida State- The season was almost tossed in the dumpster, but he saved it in the final minutes against SMU. But the inevitable game with Clemson was next on the schedule. It will take a while for him to get back into consideration.
Northwestern- At 3-0 he is taking the league by storm a little bit. I am still not sure if this upcoming block will tell us a whole lot about his season with Wake Forest and Indiana as opponents. I could see him working his way up to 6-0 with a lot of hype before sliding in the second half with games against Wisconsin, Iowa, Ohio State, and Michigan.
Cincinnati- Got some games in and off to a 3-0 start. Tight wins against UCLA and Pitt. Pitt specifically coming down to the wire with a 4th quarter comeback. Things get a lot tougher in the second half of his season and his first real test will come with Texas Tech this block. If he sweeps the block he will almost definitely find his way back into the top 25 next week.
Tulane- Either USF or Tulane will be in the top 25 next week. Neither is also an option if the winner of that game drops one of their others. With a win here and then a game with Texas A&M next block we could see Tulane flying up the rankings soon.
North Carolina- Still trying to creep his way back in after the BYU loss in block 1. He has 2 games that he should win this week, but I don’t know if there will be room in the back end of the top 25.
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