AP poll: USC No. 1, five SEC teams in top 10, UGA No. 6
The SEC has five teams in the top 10 of the Associated Press preseason college football poll -– but not the No. 1 team.
USC, entering its third season under coach Lane Kiffin and its first back from an NCAA-imposed two-year postseason ban, got the top ranking in the media vote released Saturday.
Alabama and LSU, the SEC teams that met in last season’s BCS title game, were ranked Nos. 2 and 3, respectively. Other SEC teams in the top 10 were No. 6 Georgia, No. 9 South Carolina and No. 10 Arkansas. Georgia’s ranking is the highest for the Bulldogs since September 2008.
Georgia Tech received poll votes but was not ranked in the top 25.
LSU’s dismissal of star cornerback/punt returner Tyrann Mathieu from the team on Aug. 10 –- reportedly for failed drug tests -– enabled USC to move to the top of the poll. Because of Mathieu’s impact, the AP extended the voting deadline and allowed voters to amend their ballots.
Before Mathieu was kicked off the team, LSU had received 28 first-place votes, USC 22 and Alabama nine, AP reported. But in the poll released Saturday, USC had 25 first-place votes, Alabama 17 and LSU 16.
One AP voter who changed his ballot was Seth Emerson of The Macon Telegraph. Emerson said Saturday that he originally had LSU No. 1 but dropped the Tigers to No. 3, putting Alabama No. 1 and USC No. 2.
“I was in the Georgia Dome,” Emerson said, pointing to Mathieu’s two long punt returns in last season’s SEC Championship game victory over Georgia. “I saw the effect that had.
“Even without Mathieu,” Emerson added, “there is a clear separation between the top three teams and the rest.”
LSU was ranked No. 1 in the USA Today coaches’ preseason poll, which was announced before Mathieu’s dismissal. Alabama was No. 2 and USC No. 3 in that poll.
In the AP poll, USC totaled 1,445 points, Alabama 1,411 and LSU 1,402. Oklahoma and Oregon completed the top five, in that order. Oklahoma and No. 8 Michigan received one first-place vote apiece.
The AP poll, unlike the coaches’, is not part of the BCS formula that determines who plays in the national title game.
Georgia’s No. 6 ranking was the same in both polls.
“I would’ve predicted us not to be quite as high in [the AP] poll, but it’s good that people feel that way about us,” coach Mark Richt said Saturday. “We all know it doesn’t mean a lot other than you’re starting in a spot where, if you take care of business, you have a chance to stay up there. . . . We know we’ve got a long way to go and a lot to prove.
“… We want to be well thought of,” Richt added. “Have we earned it this year? No. But I guess from everybody’s evaluation of who’s returning and all that type of thing they feel like we’ve got a chance.”
Said UGA tailback-fullback Richard Samuel: “We don’t feel any pressure from [the high ranking]. In the long run, [the coaches' poll] helps us at the end of the season when it comes time to decide who gets to go to the national championship. So we just look at it like that, but we also know that we’ve got to take it game by game to get there. … I really do believe in our guys. We have a really wonderful, amazing team. We had some victories last year and a couple of games we have to learn how to finish.”
Georgia Tech was sixth in the others-receiving-votes category.
Asked if he would use being unranked as motivation, Tech coach Paul Johnson said: “No. Probably won’t talk about it.”
Said Tech center Jay Finch: “I think that’s right where we should be, because, to be honest, I like starting outside where nobody’s suspecting anything. But if you keep winning, you keep going up.”
In all, the SEC placed six teams in the AP’s top 25 –- the five in the top 10 plus Florida, which was ranked No. 23 despite a 7-6 (3-5 SEC) record last season.
The Big 12 also put six teams in the top 25 but only one in the top 10. The Big Ten had five teams ranked, one in the top 10. The Pac-12 and ACC had three teams apiece in the poll — two and one, respectively, in the top 10.
The ranked ACC teams included No. 7 Florida State, No. 14 Clemson (which opens the season against Auburn in a Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at the Georgia Dome on Sept. 1) and No. 16 Virginia Tech.
– Tim Tucker of the AJC, with contributions from Chip Towers at Georgia and Ken Sugiura at Georgia Tech.
ASSOCIATED PRESS POLL
Team(first place votes) 2011 record Points Pv
1.Southern Cal(25) 10-2 1,445 6
2.Alabama(17) 12-1 1,411 1
3. LSU (16) 13-1 1,402 2
4.Oklahoma(1) 10-3 1,286 16
5.Oregon 12-2 1,274 4
6.Georgia 10-4 1,107 19
7. Florida St. 9-4 1,093 23
8.Michigan(1) 11-2 1,000 12
9.South Carolina 11-2 994 9
10.Arkansas 11-2 963 5
11.West Virginia 10-3 856 17
12.Wisconsin 11-3 838 10
13. Michigan St. 11-3 742 11
14. Clemson 10-4 615 22
15.Texas 8-5 569 NR
16. Virginia Tech 11-3 548 21
17.Nebraska 9-4 485 24
18. Ohio St. 6-7 474 NR
19. Oklahoma St. 12-1 430 3
20. TCU 11-2 397 14
21. Stanford 11-2 383 7
22. Kansas St. 10-3 300 15
23.Florida 7-6 214 NR
24. Boise St. 12-1 212 8
25.Louisville 7-6 105 NR
Others receiving votes: Notre Dame 83, Washington 55, Auburn 53, North Carolina 32, Utah 30, Georgia Tech 25, BYU 22, Tennessee 15, South Florida 11, Baylor 9, Texas A&M 5, UCF 4, Cincinnati 3, Missouri 3, N.C. State 3, Houston 1, Louisiana Tech 1, Mississippi St. 1, N. Illinois 1.
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476 comments Add your comment
Red Stick
August 18th, 2012
1:33 pm
USC brings back the 54th ranked defense last season so we’ll see how they pan out.
I think the top 3 is on the mark and it’s debatable who is the best among the 3. Everyone has concerns, including the rest of the top 25, so it will be an interesting season.
Geaux Tigers
Go SEC
Bad Dawg
August 18th, 2012
1:35 pm
Steve, I know UGA doesn’t control their SEC schedule but you should expect other fans to make fun of this regardless because UGA hasn’t won any big games lately. UGA just needs to win all of their games they are supposed to win and I’m sure we’ll all be happy.
Notebook: Still no offensive snaps for Malcolm Mitchell, but coming soon | UGA sports blog
August 18th, 2012
1:36 pm
[...] Georgia’s No. 6 ranking in The Associated poll released Saturday represents its third-highest preseason ranking in the Richt era. The Bulldogs were ranked No. 3 in 2004 and No. 1 in 2008. They finished 7th and 13th, respectively. [...]
kingdaddy
August 18th, 2012
1:36 pm
You UGA haters need to grow-up and stop all the jealous rants. UGA fans didn’t vote UGA#6, the coaches and sports writers did. You are supposed to be grown men, not a bunch of babies. You cry like someone took your piece of candy away. Most every team has some problems. Some just have less than others. Some can be fixed during the season and these teams will prevail. Some have too many holes to suceed this year and some are thin but good and one injury to a key player (qb) will pretty much screw their season totally. How many times will we get the lucky bounce this year? So much goes on in ann entire football season, that’s what makes college ball so great to me. All this hate on the blogs is unnecessary and childish. It may be fun to the immature, but you’ll grow up eventually and learn how to communicate without acting like a child…
I dropped my fried twinkie
August 18th, 2012
1:37 pm
OK……………..NEW POLL>>>>>>>>
Top 5 Biggest Azzes in the US:
Coco..I-Tea’s Wife
Kim Kardashian
Obama
US Tax Code
Roseanne Barr
Bad Dawg
August 18th, 2012
1:38 pm
I agree Red Stick. Their defense is average but they do play in a conference that likes to get in shootouts. I’d like to see LSU vs. USC in the BCS championship game to see if great offense trumps great defense. I would put my money on LSU though because USC has limited depth on the defensive side of the ball and LSU would wear them out by the 4th quarter.
Steve
August 18th, 2012
1:40 pm
Agreed Bad Dawg. I see 11-1 with the loss coming to either SC, Missouri, AU, or FL.
umyboyBlue17
August 18th, 2012
1:47 pm
vandy beats cockgammers Zack Stacey most under the radar back in sec rus wild, remember where you heard it
kingdaddy
August 18th, 2012
1:48 pm
Nancy Pelousy
Mooshell
Debbie Whatshername Shultz
Whoopie
Barney Frank (it counts)
kingdaddy
August 18th, 2012
1:51 pm
Twink
You posting under Smarticus last night???
Redfern
August 18th, 2012
1:52 pm
Do these polls factor in how many of UGA’s players will be suspended or dismissed for the usual DUI, driving with suspended (or no) license, illegal drug use, theft, and beating up women?
It’s a fair question to ask, considering the crime-prone jerks that Richt recruits.
Jerry the race car driver
August 18th, 2012
1:54 pm
gt and 10RC really stink right.
Fern
August 18th, 2012
1:54 pm
Do these polls factor in how many of UGA’s players will be suspended or dismissed for the usual DUI, driving with suspended (or no) license, illegal drug use, theft, and beating up women?
It’s a fair question to ask, considering the crime-prone jerks that Richt recruits.
Steve
August 18th, 2012
1:55 pm
Redfern, yet another moron on the blog. Do you really think UGA and Richt are the only ones recruiting these players? I assure you almost all of UGA’s players received offers elsewhere, including other SEC schools, and chose UGA.
Jerry the race car driver
August 18th, 2012
1:56 pm
Redfern I bet you are perfect.
Steve
August 18th, 2012
1:59 pm
Redfern is super cool as he posts something stupid and then changes his name to Fern and posts the same thing again. Awww I remember when I was 15.
Bad Dawg
August 18th, 2012
2:00 pm
RedFern, Obviously not but they probably should have. If LSU losing the Honey Badger drops them to #2 then UGA having several of their defensive starters suspended should have dropped them down a couple spots because it will affect the defense versus Missouri.
UpDog
August 18th, 2012
2:02 pm
mark this down–the dogs win the east easily with a big win over sc, then upset alabama in the sec title game.
GA v. USC for the title–dogs win by 3
Bad Dawg
August 18th, 2012
2:03 pm
UpDog, Don’t embarrass the reasonable UGA fans on this blog like myself.
D man
August 18th, 2012
2:04 pm
I think Bama will lose two this season. They lost too many top players. LSU will still be strong without the HB. Georgia has a lot to prove after a disappointing 2011. Arkansas will not be all that they are hyped up to be. South Carolina will be pretty good. As for USC, they will look strong because they are playing a much weaker schedule in the PAC 10 but when post season rolls around, they will be exposed. The SEC champ will win the National Championship.
kingdaddy
August 18th, 2012
2:07 pm
Answer: Yes the pollsters aren’t as stupid as the numb-nutz trying to make fun of UGAs suspensions.
Hey Fern, what school do you support???
gt4ever
August 18th, 2012
2:14 pm
UGA and GT have NO business in the Top 25… This love affair with UGA is just typical to boost all the delusional dawg fans hopes. When UGA plays somebody descent the reality comes crashing down to earth…
Coach Johnson needs to be very successful this year, because these are his players… The easy schedule combined with his “type” of players should be enough to at least get us to the championship game. If we are not in the championship game, he should be fired. IMHO.
kingdaddy
August 18th, 2012
2:15 pm
Bad Dawg
Just because you’re a pessimist and have no faith, you don’t have to critize Dawg fans who have a more optimistic view. Your opinion is noted. Theirs is just as relevant as yours. UGA has a chance and you can’t take that away with your negativity. Enjoy the season and try not to be such a downer…
Fladawg
August 18th, 2012
2:19 pm
Enter your comments here
kingdaddy
August 18th, 2012
2:22 pm
gt4ever
Speak for your own program. The only thing you know about UGA, is you don’t want to play us. Do I have to remind you why you don’t want to play us or do you really want to play this game? I would love to see GT undefeated this year when we play, then people won’t include your team as a “cupcake”!!!
Fladawg
August 18th, 2012
2:23 pm
There are a couple of things that have almost become as much of a guarantee as death and taxes…FSU will be overrated and will lose early and often and Clemson will get off to a great start and will gag a couple of games late in the season.
BILLY JACK
August 18th, 2012
2:23 pm
gt4ever-your opinion about Georgia being in the top ten will probably change after another brutal beatdown of you whiney little bees.
7576DAWG
August 18th, 2012
2:24 pm
Why did Georgia come in at 6TH pre-season?
1- Murray is a 15 to 1 odds to win the Heisman.
2- At least 7 or 8 of our Defensive players could have all gone Pro last year and all would have been drafted from the 1ST round to the 6TH round but all of them decided to stay for one more year .
I can assure you the other coaches won’t take Georgia for granted or listen to the haters.
Really?
August 18th, 2012
2:27 pm
KingDaddy said: “All this hate on the blogs is unnecessary and childish. It may be fun to the immature, but you’ll grow up eventually and learn how to communicate without acting like a child…”
Hey QueenDaddy, thanks for showing us how to act like a grown up by calling GT fans “Tech-nerd-frat-boys” and “nerd frat rats”. Also the terms “losers” and “numbnutz” scream grown up to me. Read your blogs before you post something stupid.
Really?
August 18th, 2012
2:29 pm
Its people like you QueenDaddy that make Georgia fans look stupid every year. You’ve got a good team, but let them prove it on the field for once and stop making stupid proclamations before the season kicks off. Something tells me there isn’t a whole lot going on upstairs with you if you know what I mean.
Son of Sammy Davis Jr, Jr
August 18th, 2012
2:31 pm
@ UpDog:
Please put down the mash and go back to switching the mudflaps on your truck from freebird to UGA
Fladawg
August 18th, 2012
2:32 pm
Bad Dawg.. I totally agree with your comment about Updog but you dont think he or she is actually serious, do you?
I think it was just a comment to try to stir emotions.
Bad Dawg
August 18th, 2012
2:32 pm
KingDaddy, With this staff UGA has a chance to make it to the SECCG but they have zero chance to beat Alabama or LSU in that game. They could very well go 11-1 or 12-0 in the regular season but end up losing the SECCG and end up in the Capital One Bowl. That seems like the most reasonable expectations. Anything more is a little too Disney for me until proven otherwise on the field consistently.
BigTimeTECHFan
August 18th, 2012
2:33 pm
Tech should be in the top 5, they are one of the best teams in the country
Bad Dawg
August 18th, 2012
2:34 pm
Fladawg, You are probably right. Its so hard to tell the real from the fake on this blog.
Speed Limit 70 Clemson 33
August 18th, 2012
2:35 pm
No ACC teams in top 10 – my how this conference has become a mid-major conference.
Really?
August 18th, 2012
2:36 pm
BigTimeTECHFAn, thanks for proving that there are idiots on both sides of the in-state rivalry. I’m an unabashed GT fan whether or not we ever beat Georgia again. But c’mon man! Top 5? I think we’re going to have a good year but put down the crack pipe.
Fladawg
August 18th, 2012
2:37 pm
Bad Dawg… I am kinda new to actually posting on here. Is there anywhere at all that a dawg fan can go to read and post and it be at least a semi-legitimate blog. Like you said, there is just do much “junk” on here that it is difficult sometimes!
Really?
August 18th, 2012
2:38 pm
Where is queendaddy to teach us how to all act like grown ups again?
kingdaddy
August 18th, 2012
2:38 pm
Really
Welcome back to the UGA BLOG Loser. I’m just responding to trolls like you numb-nutz. They come in here criticizing verything UGA just like you boy. Not wanting anyone to know their own school, just like you. You’re a loser on someone else’s board just trying to stir the pot. You “Really “are a loser for just that reason and you know it…
AP poll: USC No. 1, five SEC teams in top 10
August 18th, 2012
2:39 pm
[...] [...]
Really?
August 18th, 2012
2:40 pm
Yep, that post sums up the maturity level you were talking about and encouraging on these blogs. Thanks for proving my point.
7576DAWG
August 18th, 2012
2:40 pm
Spurrier really likes Conner Shaw . This is one year that I wished we would play them the second game because Lattimore won’t be 100% by the second game but will be by our game. The Vanderbilt game will tell us a lot about both teams and if Spurrier is right in that Shaw is ready to lead.
Really?
August 18th, 2012
2:43 pm
queendaddy, are you trying to fight me through your computer? You called me boy and said that I’m a loser and I know it. Way to lead by example after your earlier post below:
“All this hate on the blogs is unnecessary and childish. It may be fun to the immature, but you’ll grow up eventually and learn how to communicate without acting like a child…”
Joey
August 18th, 2012
2:44 pm
Who would put Jennifer Anniston ahead of Salma Hyek?
Not me.
gt4ever
August 18th, 2012
2:47 pm
@kingdaddy
Your right about owning us… Great! We are both embarrassments to college football. UGA is a bigger embarrassment because of the talent that your coaching staff recruits there year after year, and does NOTHING with it…. But please, you go ahead and hang your hat on beating GT…
I dropped my fried twinkie
August 18th, 2012
2:48 pm
KingDaddy yes for a Second on the other Blog. You got some Attitude. LOL
kingdaddy
August 18th, 2012
2:49 pm
That took a set really… First time you actually said you’re a nerd. That’s why you hate the Dogs so bad. I knew it anyway. I got no problem with tech. Just don’t know why you spend so much time bashing UGA when you should criticize your own ineptness as a football program. Compared to you, we’re Godz…You just want the pain to go away but blogging isn’t going to help. We will remind you that we own you…Thanks for making it perfectly clear, Really…
I dropped my fried twinkie
August 18th, 2012
2:50 pm
Time to take MUSTANG SALLY out the BACKDOOR while KingDaddy is on the computer. See you at the DEW DROP INN.
Really?
August 18th, 2012
2:50 pm
Back to the poll, I would say Georgia is slightly overranked at 6 – I would have them at 10. USC at 1 is a joke. FSU and Clemson are also overranked. And I think its highly possible that Arkansas disappoints this year after losing the evil d-bag in Petrino.