PRESS PICKS (Week 11): The first CFP poll is much ado about nothing
STAFF REPORT
Ohio State is your new No. 1.
Happy?
You didn’t get those cheatin’ Michigan Wolverines or those overrated Georgia Bulldogs on top. That Pac-12 also-ran of a conference didn’t sniff the top ranking.
It’s just the way it should be - right?
Just wait.
Tuesday’s poll opener is set up to be one of the all-timers for the CFP committee, which may be in store of one of the wildest years since this system originated in 2014.
The fact is there is no clear cut favorite this year. Yes, Georgia is looking better; Michigan has been dominant but in each case, neither one has faced a stiff test (apologies to Auburn). That may change in the next couple of weeks but until then…
Washington is not considered the best team in the Pac-12. But the Huskies beat Oregon and has the leg up… but for how long?
Don’t forget the plethora of one-loss teams that will enter the fray at some point. Which one remains to be seen and it might take until the conference championships before we see one or two rise to the top.
In the meantime, there will be the usual gnashing of teeth from fans and fanboys on Websites hurling insults at the committee for their ineptness or lack of having the guts to “do what’s right.”
It’s a new year but the debates don’t change.
Graham Dunn continues his lead on the panel after 10 weeks.
2023 Overall Standings (Last week)
1. Graham Dunn 119-31 (12-3) .793
2. Doug Amos 117-33 (12-3) .780
3. Tim Gayle 115-35 (13-2) .767
4. Wesley Lyle 114-36 (12-3) .760
5. Mike Peacock 112-38 (9-6) .747
6. Lindsey Bonner 110-40 (10-5) .733
7. Rosie Langello 108-42 (11-4) .720
Michael Butler 108-42 (12-3) .720
9. Barry McKnight 93-57 (11-4) .620
10. Rick Hendrick 92-58 (10-5) .613
Graham Dunn (River Region Sports/WTLS/Voice of Alabama State Hornets)
119-31 (12-3) .793
Central-Clay County at Wetumpka - Clay Central
Bayside Academy at Alabama Christian - Bayside
Holtville at Tallassee - Holtville
Clarke Prep at Edgewood Academy (AISA 1st Round) - Clarke Prep
LSU at Alabama - Alabama
Auburn at Vanderbilt - Auburn
South Alabama at Troy (Thur) - Troy
Missouri at Georgia - Georgia
Kentucky at Miss St - Kentucky
Arkansas at Florida - Florida
Texas A&M at Ole Miss - Ole Miss
Jacksonville St at South Carolina - South Carolina
Notre Dame at Clemson - Notre Dame
Kansas St at Texas - Kansas St
Washington at USC - Washington
Doug Amos (ESPN The Ticket)
117-33 (12-3) .780
Central-Clay County at Wetumpka - Clay Central
Bayside Academy at Alabama Christian - Bayside
Holtville at Tallassee - Holtville
Clarke Prep at Edgewood Academy (AISA 1st Round) - Edgewood
LSU at Alabama - Alabama
Auburn at Vanderbilt - Auburn
South Alabama at Troy (Thur) - Troy
Missouri at Georgia - Georgia
Kentucky at Miss St - Kentucky
Arkansas at Florida - Florida
Texas A&M at Ole Miss - Ole Miss
Jacksonville St at South Carolina - South Carolina
Notre Dame at Clemson - Clemson
Kansas St at Texas - Texas
Washington at USC - Washington
Tim Gayle (River Region Sports/Montgomery Independent)
115-35 (13-2) .767
Central-Clay County at Wetumpka - Clay Central
Bayside Academy at Alabama Christian - Alabama Christian
Holtville at Tallassee - Tallassee
Clarke Prep at Edgewood Academy (AISA 1st Round) - Clarke Prep
LSU at Alabama - Alabama
Auburn at Vanderbilt - Auburn
South Alabama at Troy (Thur) - South Alabama
Missouri at Georgia - Georgia
Kentucky at Miss St - Kentucky
Arkansas at Florida - Florida
Texas A&M at Ole Miss - Ole Miss
Jacksonville St at South Carolina - South Carolina
Notre Dame at Clemson - Notre Dame
Kansas St at Texas - Texas
Washington at USC - Washington
Wesley Lyle (River Region Sports & al.com)
114-36 (12-3) .760
Central-Clay County at Wetumpka - Clay Central
Bayside Academy at Alabama Christian - Alabama Christian
Holtville at Tallassee - Holtville
Clarke Prep at Edgewood Academy (AISA 1st Round) - Clarke Prep
LSU at Alabama - Alabama
Auburn at Vanderbilt - Auburn
South Alabama at Troy (Thur) - Troy
Missouri at Georgia - Georgia
Kentucky at Miss St - Kentucky
Arkansas at Florida - Florida
Texas A&M at Ole Miss - Ole Miss
Jacksonville St at South Carolina - South Carolina
Notre Dame at Clemson - Notre Dame
Kansas St at Texas - Texas
Washington at USC - Washington
Mike Peacock (River Region Sports)
112-38 (9-6) .747
Central-Clay County at Wetumpka - Clay Central
Bayside Academy at Alabama Christian - Bayside
Holtville at Tallassee - Holtville
Clarke Prep at Edgewood Academy (AISA 1st Round) - Clarke Prep
LSU at Alabama - Alabama
Auburn at Vanderbilt - Auburn
South Alabama at Troy (Thur) - Troy
Missouri at Georgia - Georgia
Kentucky at Miss St - Kentucky
Arkansas at Florida - Florida
Texas A&M at Ole Miss - Ole Miss
Jacksonville St at South Carolina - South Carolina
Notre Dame at Clemson - Notre Dame
Kansas St at Texas - Texas
Washington at USC - Washington
Lindsey Bonner (Sports Director - WAKA Ch. 8)
100-35 (11-4) .741
Central-Clay County at Wetumpka - Clay Central
Bayside Academy at Alabama Christian - Bayside
Holtville at Tallassee - Holtville
Clarke Prep at Edgewood Academy (AISA 1st Round) - Edgewood
LSU at Alabama - Alabama
Auburn at Vanderbilt - Auburn
South Alabama at Troy (Thur) - Troy
Missouri at Georgia - Georgia
Kentucky at Miss St - Kentucky
Arkansas at Florida - Arkansas
Texas A&M at Ole Miss - Ole Miss
Jacksonville St at South Carolina - South Carolina
Notre Dame at Clemson - Notre Dame
Kansas St at Texas - Kansas St
Washington at USC - Washington
Rosie Langello (Sports Director - WSFA Ch. 12)
108-42 (11-4) .720
Central-Clay County at Wetumpka - Clay Central
Bayside Academy at Alabama Christian - Bayside
Holtville at Tallassee - Holtville
Clarke Prep at Edgewood Academy (AISA 1st Round) - Clarke Prep
LSU at Alabama - Alabama
Auburn at Vanderbilt - Auburn
South Alabama at Troy (Thur) - Troy
Missouri at Georgia - Georgia
Kentucky at Miss St - Kentucky
Arkansas at Florida - Florida
Texas A&M at Ole Miss - Ole Miss
Jacksonville St at South Carolina - Jacksonville St
Notre Dame at Clemson - Notre Dame
Kansas St at Texas - Texas
Washington at USC - Washington
Michael Butler (WTLS 106.9&94.7 FM/1300 AM/Tallassee Times)
108-32 (12-3) .720
Central-Clay County at Wetumpka - Clay Central
Bayside Academy at Alabama Christian - Bayside
Holtville at Tallassee - Tallassee
Clarke Prep at Edgewood Academy (AISA 1st Round) - Clarke Prep
LSU at Alabama - LSU
Auburn at Vanderbilt - Auburn
South Alabama at Troy (Thur) - Troy
Missouri at Georgia - Georgia
Kentucky at Miss St - Kentucky
Arkansas at Florida - Arkansas
Texas A&M at Ole Miss - Ole Miss
Jacksonville St at South Carolina - South Carolina
Notre Dame at Clemson - Notre Dame
Kansas St at Texas - Texas
Washington at USC - Southern Cal
Barry McKnight (SportsRadio 740 /Voice of Troy Trojans)
93-57 (11-4) .620
Central-Clay County at Wetumpka - Wetumpka
Bayside Academy at Alabama Christian - Bayside
Holtville at Tallassee - Tallassee
Clarke Prep at Edgewood Academy (AISA 1st Round) - Edgewood
LSU at Alabama - LSU
Auburn at Vanderbilt - Auburn
South Alabama at Troy (Thur) - Troy
Missouri at Georgia - Georgia
Kentucky at Miss St - Kentucky
Arkansas at Florida - Florida
Texas A&M at Ole Miss - Ole Miss
Jacksonville St at South Carolina - South Carolina
Notre Dame at Clemson - Notre Dame
Kansas St at Texas - Kansas St
Washington at USC - Washington
Rick Hendrick (WXFS 95.1 The Fox/PA Montgomery Biscuits)
92-58 (10-5) .613
Central-Clay County at Wetumpka - Clay Central
Bayside Academy at Alabama Christian - Alabama Christian
Holtville at Tallassee - Holtville
Clarke Prep at Edgewood Academy (AISA 1st Round) - Edgewood
LSU at Alabama - Alabama
Auburn at Vanderbilt - Auburn
South Alabama at Troy (Thur) - Troy
Missouri at Georgia - Georgia
Kentucky at Miss St - Kentucky
Arkansas at Florida - Florida
Texas A&M at Ole Miss - Ole Miss
Jacksonville St at South Carolina - South Carolina
Notre Dame at Clemson - Notre Dame
Kansas St at Texas - Texas
Washington at USC - Washington