SB Nation FanPulse Top 25

Another week, and another shake up in the top 4. LSU moved to number one based on the fact that they’ve actually beaten a few good teams (although that Texas win isn’t looking quite is nice these day).

National Poll

SB Nation fans got it half right. Moving LSU up to #1 is justified after their win over Auburn. Keeping Alabama at 2 still makes no sense, as their defense hasn’t been good most of the season, and their best win is Texas A&M. Outside of A&M, the only team that Bama has knocked off with a winning record is Southern Miss, followed by a 4-4 Duke team. This is a strange mix of “resume is important ” and “Bama is Bama”.

Anyway, moving on.

Ohio State and Clemson round out the top 4, and that seem right.

There was some movement 5-10 as Oklahoma moved from 5th to 8th after their defense was once again embarrassed in a road loss to K-State (Go Cats). Auburn dropped to 12th after their offense laid an egg in Baton Rouge. Finally, Notre Dame was kicked out of the top 10 after getting dog walked by Michigan.

Utah and Baylor both jumped 7 spots to join the top 10 at 9 and 10 respectively.

All the teams moving out of the top 10 meant there was plenty of action 11-20. Auburn, as I mentioned, landed at 12 because they don’t understand the forward pass. Wisconsin landed with a thud at 19 after once again being exposed as a 1 trick pony who doesn’t understand the forward pass, and Notre Dame landed at 15 because leprechauns hate the rain .

Texas put their horns all the way down, falling from 15th to out of the top 25 after their loss to what looked like a fading TCU team (the Texas defense will breathe life back into any offense).

The rotating 21-25 spots continued to see action with Memphis, Louisiana Tech, and Iowa moving into the top 25, and Virginia and Arizona State moving out.

Hammer and Rails Poll

1. Alabama (8-0)
2. Ohio State (8-0)
3. LSU (8-0)
4. Clemson (8-0)
5. Penn State (8-0)
6. Florida (7-1)
7. Georgia (6-1)
8. Oklahoma (7-1)
9. Utah (7-1)
10. Baylor (7-0)
11. Oregon (7-1)
12. Auburn (6-2)
13. SMU (8-0)
14. Minnesota (8-0)
15. Cincinnati (6-1)
16. Michigan (6-2)
17. Notre Dame (5-2)
18. App State (7-0)
19. Wisconsin (6-2)
20. Wake Forest (6-1)
21. Boise State (6-1)
22. San Diego State (7-1)
23. Memphis (7-1)
24. Iowa (6-2)
25. Louisiana Tech (7-1)

I mention this above, but I’ve yet to hear a compelling argument for voting Alabama #1 other than the A on the side of their helmet.

Other than that, y’all are right on track with the national poll, with a few teams flip-flopped. You did punish Notre Dame an extra 2 spots, and I appreciate that.

Confidence

Losing to Illinois at home put a dent in cautiously optimistic group. Purdue is sitting around 70% in fan confidence at the moment, and after the display on Saturday, y’all are generous. I’m still “confident” but things need to start moving in the right direction.

National Poll - What Surprised You Most

Everyone was buzzing about the upset in the Little Apple. I wasn’t at the game (I only go when I have free tickets), but I did show up for some early morning biscuits and gravy at the Vet school catered tailgate. People were so excited in Manhattan, I’m told almost 50% of the population skipped their afternoon nap, and powered through with the celebrations until well after 7 pm.

Things were crazy. I locked the doors and drew the blinds.