PRESS PICKS (Week 10): Halloween's first playoff poll will tell us very little, says Boo
STAFF REPORT
On Tuesday, the first edition of the College Football Playoff poll is scheduled to be released by its esteemed committee, headlined again by the one and only Boo Corrigan as chairman (how appropriate since it’s Halloween). It’s always fun to take a shot at predicting what the first poll will look like.
This year, like no other, there is no clear-cut No. 1
Georgia might be beloved by the AP and Coaches polls, but chances are the vote among those that matter may not like the way the Bulldogs have performed to this point. And remember, if you’ve been on top, your standards are higher than everybody else.
It’s a reason why Alabama has been stuck in the lower half of the Top 10 and below since they made a move a month ago. Anybody else who had faced three teams in the poll already would have been given the benefit of the doubt.
But enough about the Crimson Tide. What do they do with Georgia? Michigan? Will Ohio State be rewarded with two wins over Top 10 teams? How about Washington?
It’s hard to say since so many have faced less-than-average opponents to this point. Texas and Oklahoma have good schedules since they played each other but Texas might have the better win at Alabama.
Oregon and Washington have the same argument. But that league will probably cancel itself out.
Michigan has played no one. Their strength of schedule has barely registered on the Richter scale. Georgia’s ain’t much better. Sure, the names sound good - Auburn, Kentucky, and as of Saturday, Florida. But none have knockout punches this season. And if Florida does have that punch and wins in the battle of Cocktails Saturday, Georgia won’t be in the Top 5, much less No. 1.
The first poll really doesn’t matter. In the nine years of its existence, the top team rarely wins it all.
But, there is a bit of prestige to start the year on top. Just ask Mississippi State, which can brag that it was the first-ever No. 1 team in the CFP era.
This year’s first No. 1 can say they are the last No. 1 in the four-team playoff since it all changes next year.
That and a $5 bill will get you a box of popcorn at the local high school football game.
Graham Dunn edged ahead of Doug Amos to lead the panel after nine weeks.
2023 Overall Standings (Last week)
1. Graham Dunn 107-28 (11-4) .793
2. Doug Amos 105-30 (9-6) .778
3. Mike Peacock 103-32 (9-6) .763
4. Wesley Lyle 102-33 (9-6) .756
Tim Gayle 102-33 (9-6) .756
6. Lindsey Bonner 100-35 (11-4) .741
7. Rosie Langello 97-38 (12-3) .719
8. Michael Butler 96-39 (10-5) .711
9. Barry McKnight 82-53 (8-7) .607
Rick Hendrick 82-53 (8-7) .607
Graham Dunn (River Region Sports/WTLS/Voice of Alabama State Hornets)
107-28 (11-4) .793
G.W. Carver at Pike Road - Pike Road
Wetumpka at Sidney Lanier (Thur) - Wetumpka
Andalusia at Catholic - Catholic
Park Crossing at Stanhope Elmore - Stanhope Elmore
Elmore County at Holtville - Elmore County
Miss St at Auburn - Auburn
Troy at Texas State - Troy
Alabama St vs. Alabama A&M (Birmingham) - Alabama State
Georgia vs. Florida (Jacksonville) - Georgia
Tennessee at Kentucky - Tennessee
South Carolina at Texas A&M - Texas A&M
Duke at Louisville - Duke
Clemson at NC State - Clemson
Oregon at Utah - Utah
Oregon St at Arizona - Arizona
Doug Amos (ESPN The Ticket)
105-30 (9-6) .778
G.W. Carver at Pike Road - Pike Road
Wetumpka at Sidney Lanier (Thur) - Sidney Lanier
Andalusia at Catholic - Catholic
Park Crossing at Stanhope Elmore - Stanhope Elmore
Elmore County at Holtville - Elmore County
Miss St at Auburn - Auburn
Troy at Texas State - Troy
Alabama St vs. Alabama A&M (Birmingham) - Alabama State
Georgia vs. Florida (Jacksonville) - Georgia
Tennessee at Kentucky - Kentucky
South Carolina at Texas A&M - Texas A&M
Duke at Louisville - Louisville
Clemson at NC State - Clemson
Oregon at Utah - Oregon
Oregon St at Arizona - Arizona
Mike Peacock (River Region Sports)
103-32 (9-6) .763
G.W. Carver at Pike Road - Pike Road
Wetumpka at Sidney Lanier (Thur) - Lanier
Andalusia at Catholic - Catholic
Park Crossing at Stanhope Elmore - Stanhope Elmore
Elmore County at Holtville - Elmore County
Miss St at Auburn - Auburn
Troy at Texas State - Texas State
Alabama St vs. Alabama A&M (Birmingham) - Alabama A&M
Georgia vs. Florida (Jacksonville) - Georgia
Tennessee at Kentucky - Tennessee
South Carolina at Texas A&M - Texas A&M
Duke at Louisville - Duke
Clemson at NC State - Clemson
Oregon at Utah - Oregon
Oregon St at Arizona - Oregon State
Wesley Lyle (River Region Sports & al.com)
102-33 (9-6) .756
G.W. Carver at Pike Road - Pike Road
Wetumpka at Sidney Lanier (Thur) - Lanier
Andalusia at Catholic - Catholic
Park Crossing at Stanhope Elmore - Stanhope Elmore
Elmore County at Holtville - Elmore County
Miss St at Auburn - Auburn
Troy at Texas State - Troy
Alabama St vs. Alabama A&M (Birmingham) - Alabama State
Georgia vs. Florida (Jacksonville) - Georgia
Tennessee at Kentucky - Tennessee
South Carolina at Texas A&M - Texas A&M
Duke at Louisville - Louisville
Clemson at NC State - Clemson
Oregon at Utah - Oregon
Oregon St at Arizona - Oregon St
Tim Gayle (River Region Sports/Montgomery Independent)
102-33 (9-6) .756
G.W. Carver at Pike Road - Pike Road
Wetumpka at Sidney Lanier (Thur) - Wetumpka
Andalusia at Catholic - Catholic
Park Crossing at Stanhope Elmore - Stanhope Elmore
Elmore County at Holtville - Elmore County
Miss St at Auburn - Auburn
Troy at Texas State - Troy
Alabama St vs. Alabama A&M (Birmingham) - Alabama State
Georgia vs. Florida (Jacksonville) - Georgia
Tennessee at Kentucky - Tennessee
South Carolina at Texas A&M - Texas A&M
Duke at Louisville - Duke
Clemson at NC State - Clemson
Oregon at Utah - Oregon
Oregon St at Arizona - Arizona
Lindsey Bonner (Sports Director - WAKA Ch. 8)
100-35 (11-4) .741
G.W. Carver at Pike Road - Pike Road
Wetumpka at Sidney Lanier (Thur) - Sidney Lanier
Andalusia at Catholic - Catholic
Park Crossing at Stanhope Elmore - Stanhope Elmore
Elmore County at Holtville - Elmore County
Miss St at Auburn - Miss St
Troy at Texas State - Troy
Alabama St vs. Alabama A&M (Birmingham) - Alabama State
Georgia vs. Florida (Jacksonville) - Georgia
Tennessee at Kentucky - Tennessee
South Carolina at Texas A&M - Texas A&M
Duke at Louisville - Duke
Clemson at NC State - Clemson
Oregon at Utah - Oregon
Oregon St at Arizona - Oregon St
Rosie Langello (Sports Director - WSFA Ch. 12)
97-38 (12-3) .719
G.W. Carver at Pike Road - Pike Road
Wetumpka at Sidney Lanier (Thur) - Lanier
Andalusia at Catholic - Catholic
Park Crossing at Stanhope Elmore - Stanhope Elmore
Elmore County at Holtville - Elmore County
Miss St at Auburn - Auburn
Troy at Texas State - Troy
Alabama St vs. Alabama A&M (Birmingham) - Alabama A&M
Georgia vs. Florida (Jacksonville) - Georgia
Tennessee at Kentucky - Tennessee
South Carolina at Texas A&M - Texas A&M
Duke at Louisville - Duke
Clemson at NC State - NC State
Oregon at Utah - Oregon
Oregon St at Arizona - Oregon State
Michael Butler (WTLS 106.9&94.7 FM/1300 AM/Tallassee Times)
96-39 (10-5) .711
G.W. Carver at Pike Road - Pike Road
Wetumpka at Sidney Lanier (Thur) - Wetumpka
Andalusia at Catholic - Catholic
Park Crossing at Stanhope Elmore - Stanhope Elmore
Elmore County at Holtville - Elmore County
Miss St at Auburn - Auburn
Troy at Texas State - Troy
Alabama St vs. Alabama A&M (Birmingham) - Alabama A&M
Georgia vs. Florida (Jacksonville) - Georgia
Tennessee at Kentucky - Tennessee
South Carolina at Texas A&M - Texas A&M
Duke at Louisville - Louisville
Clemson at NC State - Clemson
Oregon at Utah - Oregon
Oregon St at Arizona - Oregon State
Barry McKnight (SportsRadio 740 /Voice of Troy Trojans)
82-53 (8-7) .607
G.W. Carver at Pike Road - Pike Road
Wetumpka at Sidney Lanier (Thur) - Wetumpka
Andalusia at Catholic - Andalusia
Park Crossing at Stanhope Elmore - Stanhope Elmore
Elmore County at Holtville - Elmore County
Miss St at Auburn - Auburn
Troy at Texas State - Troy
Alabama St vs. Alabama A&M (Birmingham) - Alabama State
Georgia vs. Florida (Jacksonville) - Florida
Tennessee at Kentucky - Tennessee
South Carolina at Texas A&M - Texas A&M
Duke at Louisville - Louisville
Clemson at NC State - Clemson
Oregon at Utah - Oregon
Oregon St at Arizona - Oregon State
Rick Hendrick (WXFS 95.1 The Fox/PA Montgomery Biscuits)
82-53 (8-7) .607
G.W. Carver at Pike Road - Pike Road
Wetumpka at Sidney Lanier (Thur) - Wetumpka
Andalusia at Catholic - Catholic
Park Crossing at Stanhope Elmore - Park Crossing
Elmore County at Holtville - Holtville
Miss St at Auburn - Auburn
Troy at Texas State - Troy
Alabama St vs. Alabama A&M (Birmingham) - Alabama State
Georgia vs. Florida (Jacksonville) - Georgia
Tennessee at Kentucky - Kentucky
South Carolina at Texas A&M - Texas A&M
Duke at Louisville - Duke
Clemson at NC State - Clemson
Oregon at Utah - Oregon
Oregon St at Arizona - Arizona