Posted: Sunday, November 30, 2008, 10:48 AM | 4 comments |
 

Week 14 AP Top 25
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I actually e-mailed my Associated Press Top 25 ballot in last night since I stayed up to watch Oklahoma and Southern Cal win in blowouts. But here it is today before the full poll is released this afternoon. Of course, the AP doesn't  factor in the BCS and those are the standings everyone will be eagerly awaiting. I'm guessing the Sooners jump Texas and get the South Division berth into the Big 12 title game. For my buck, Texas beat them straight up so the Longhorns stay No. 3 and Oklahoma No. 4. Penn State is still No. 6 in my ballot behind Southern Cal. For those carping that the Lions should be ranked ahead of the Trojans if you judge by common opponents (Oregon State), there is a strong argument there. It looks like we'll get our answer as to who is the better team. Penn State and USC are lined up to meet in the Rose Bowl. Here's the rest of the ballot in its entirety:

1. Alabama (12-0)
2. Florida (11-1)
3. Texas (11-1)
4. Oklahoma (11-1)
5. Southern Cal (10-1)
6. Penn State (11-1)
7. Texas Tech (11-1)
8. Ohio State (10-2)
9. Boise State (12-0)
10. Utah (12-0)
11. Cincinnati (10-2)
12. TCU (10-2)
13. Ball State (12-0)
14. Oklahoma State (9-3)
15. Georgia Tech (9-3)
16. Oregon (9-3)
17. Georgia (9-3)
18. Boston College (9-3)
19. BYU (10-2)
20. Michigan State (9-3)
21. Northwestern (9-3)
22. Missouri (9-3)
23. Mississippi (8-4)
24. Pittsburgh (8-3)
25. Iowa (8-4)
Posted by Jeff McLane @ 10:48 AM  Permalink | 4 comments
4
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:11 PM, 11/30/2008
    It's mindboggling how you can justify having USC ranked higher than PSU.
    — PhillyNittanyLion
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:03 PM, 12/01/2008
    and here lies the problem penn state has ALWAYS had (see 1994). sports writers in the northeast don't always line up behind penn state....sometimes i can agree with it; but if you go to any other region in the country you will almost always see the sports writers behind their "local" team. in 1994 penn state was screwed by midwest (can you say ohio) sportwriters who dumped us from #1 after we blew OSU off the map 63-14. and that is why college football will always be a sham until they come up with some kind of playoff which includes at least eight teams....if you aren't in the top eight, you don't have much of a beef
    — nyphilliephan
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:18 AM, 12/02/2008
    Agreed, nyphilliephan. It's understandable that people on the west coast, who are extremely loyal to what amounts to their only perennial colege football power - USC- would vote USC over PSU, but anyone who is objective and watches a lot of college football knows that PSU should be ranked over USC. Both teams played only two teams in this reporter's top 25, and one of them is a common opponent - Ohio State. Looking at just that game in the context of each team's schedule, USC beat them early at home, without their starting tailback - Chris Wells. PSU beat OU in THEIR stadium, with Chris Wells, in a much tougher game, with a Big 10 title on the line. Other than that of course, their common opponent was Oregon State and, well, we all know what happened there! As for the schedule of PSU being diluted by a sub par Big 10 this year - true - but USC benefits from a schedule full of inferior teams from the weak Pac 10 EVERY year, and this year was no exception. Plus, they get that perennial cupcake Notre Dame every year! Does anyone really care that USC beat up on the likes of Arizona St., California, and Stanford? I'll match the Big 10, even this year, against the motley Pac 10 any Saturday of the season. Of course the light at the end of the tunnel is the oncoming locomotive that is Penn State in the Rose Bowl, where they will have their chance to knock off one of the most overrated teams of the year. Yes, there is SOME justice in College Football, even with the BCS mess...
    — topwonk
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:53 PM, 12/02/2008
    Penn State vs. Southern Cal. Should be a very enjoyable Rose Bowl. Be aware - USC's defense is a force to be reckoned with - better than any PSU has faced this year.
    — elbinkogrande


4 comments
About Joe Juliano
Joe Juliano has been a staff writer for The Inquirer for 20 years, covering college sports, golf and the Penn Relays.

This season is Joe's fourth season on the paper's Penn State beat. He previously covered the Nittany Lions for United Press International from 1976 to 1984.

Joe McIntyre is a senior at Penn State majoring in journalism. He covered the Penn State football beat in 2011 for the Daily Collegian. Follow him on Twitter here @JoeMcIntyre5.
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