AP NCAA Football Poll 11/2/14 - Lots of one loss teams

[El Supremo]

RANK SCHOOL RECORD POINTS PREVIOUS

1 Mississippi St. (45) 8-0 1,484 1
2 Florida St. (15) 8-0 1,452 2
3 Auburn 7-1 1,345 4
4 Alabama 7-1 1,281 3
5 Oregon 8-1 1,275 5
6 TCU 7-1 1,148 10
7 Michigan St. 7-1 1,120 8
8 Notre Dame 7-1 1,096 6
9 Kansas St. 7-1 1,049 11
10 Baylor 7-1 961 12
11 Arizona St. 7-1 831 15
12 Mississippi 7-2 828 7
13 Ohio St. 7-1 780 13
14 LSU 7-2 717 16
15 Nebraska 7-1 680 17
16 Oklahoma 7-2 574 19
17 Georgia 8-1 465 9
18 UCLA 6-2 464 25
19 Clemson 6-2 341 22
20 Utah 7-2 327 18
21 Arizona 6-2 325 14
22 Duke 7-1 288 24
23 Marshall 8-0 238 23
24 West Virginia 6-3 159 20
25 Wisconsin 6-2 83 NR

Dropped out: No. 21 East Carolina.

Others receiving votes: Colorado St. 67, USC 48, Missouri 42, Georgia Tech 15, Louisville 7, North Dakota St. 4, Stanford 4, Florida 1, Texas A&M 1.

http://www.ncaa.com/rankings/football/fbs/associated-press

[fishwax]

1. A&M got a vote?

They didn't get any votes last week, what with being beaten 59-0 the last time out. I guess someone thought that a 5-point win over the mighty warhawks of Louisiana-Monroe was a big enough deal to put them back in their top 25.

[El Supremo]

2. He must have felt sorry for Kenny "Trill" Hill...

being suspended for the second time.

[Brother Buzz]

3. Smart money says Arizona State and Notre Dame swap places next week

OK, I'll keep my day job.

[joeybee12]

4. I think (hope) Notre Dame will win...

They were looking ahead, that's part of yesterday's miserable performance, but they clearly lack focus and it concerns me at this point in the season they haven't gotten their act together. The two good teams they played they looked good, so I don't expect them to play horribly again in a week.

[Brother Buzz]

5. Conventional wisdom says...

Arizona State will be doing the same. Arizona State got their wake-up call when UCLA spanked them 62-27 last month.

Notre Dame, please pick up the nearest white courtesy telephone.

Go Bruins!

[JonLP24]

7. It was a closer game

but it quickly got out of hand in the second half. Arizona State was on the 5 looking to go ahead right before half then promptly threw a 95-yard interception return which sent the game 27-17. After that the first offensive play from scrimmage was an 80-yard bomb. Then they had a kickoff return for a TD after an ASU FG.

Mike Bercovici was also making his first collegiate start after Taylor Kelly was injured late in Colorado, though with his recent play against USC & Stanford it is hard to use it as an excuse. Overall form is a good indicator of a team, they have the best rushing offense in conference and this was after Marion Grice went to the NFL. Kelly is one of the career leaders in efficiency though he is still showing signs of rust in his 2 games back. Also Jalean Strong is as good as any receiver I've seen at this school. They lost several starters on the defensive side in key positions such as both corner spots and interior line and backers though they've held their last 3 opponents to scores of 10, 10, and 16.

I'm usually very realistic when it comes my teams, especially Arizona State so take my view that this team is legit is FWIW. I'm guessing here but that interception for a TD right before the half when you consider they were at the 5 looking at tying at the very least if they don't punch it in -- the fresh thing on their minds, mood, morale followed up by a home run. Of course they can't expect to be successful if they don't learn how to shake things off -- one thing that does appear to be an improvement is their defense which came when their passing offense took a step back with Taylor Kelly's return.

Overall form -- 17-5 the last 2 years. They won at UCLA last season and had a narrow defeat against Notre Dame at a neutral site. Notre Dame will or could probably win but if Arizona State closes and avoids the crucial mistakes, I wouldn't be surprised to see them walk away with the W.

[JonLP24]

8. I don't know what's wrong with Navy

Their W-L is lower than I would have expected, they have a very talented QB who is a great rusher in a triple offense attack. You can search 'Navy & Ohio State' and you'll see that I expected it to be tough for them. OSU did win by two touchdowns but they couldn't stop their offense. It usually is a recipe for success especially since triple-option teams with talented QBs do better than expectations in regular season play -- Bowl season is a different story.

[JonLP24]

6. I never seen my football teams play this well and close

That Utah D is tough, first opponent to slow down Arizona State's offense but they came through in the end.

Local media reported a Vegas prop giving 20-1 odds to Arizona Cardinals making the Super Bowl and Arizona State or Arizona making the college football playoff. I don't much about long odds but I doubt either of the 3 had that good of odds by themselves, much less 2 of 3.

[madinmaryland]

9. Dude! 43-21??? What you say??

[El Supremo]

10. I have no idea what you're talking about.

But I do know that next week the Fuckeyes play against the ONLY ranked team of the WHOLE FUCKING YEAR!

[madinmaryland]

11. Easy there, El. The Ace Reporter may want to interview you after the game...

Of course, he is pissed that his Frisco Giants lost to the Rams.