Happy Labor Day, folks! We’re dropping the blog poll tonight instead of waiting until the FSU game is over because I’m not going to rate these jokers – the line play is as cuddly as a Red Rover game and the talent just isn’t what it’s being touted to be. Combine that with the fact that the ACC is having a tough time in its top game, and I see no reason not to do this while there’s still time.

Old hands already know the procedure; the two intruders, the newbies from the Telecaster and crippling alcoholism section of our country, may not be familiar with our criteria, so here we go:

What follows are a few very brief notes where necessary. The criteria are nebulous, wide-ranging and capricious — strength of play, bad and good coaching, injuries, exigent circumstances, home/away results, defense or lack thereof, offense or lack thereof, line play, power poll-ishness, you can cover a range (Vegas is pretty smart about the quality of a team), head-to-head where possible or reasonable, and my own lying eyes.

Let’s dive in

The top of the SEC looks downright deadly – Alabama, Georgia, Mizzou, Tennessee and Ole Miss as well as Texas all impressed in their own way, against different levels of difficulty. Georgia obviously had the toughest game, but Alabama had the biggest debut ahead of it. In fact, Kalen DeBoer had to impress against a good mid-major. Mizzou’s RB depth is remarkable. Vawls’ passing game seems to be back on point. And Ole Miss seems to have found a defense that suits the SEC’s (for now) best wide receiver. The poor middle class didn’t look great. Oklahoma won against poor Temple, but that passing game has some problems. In particular, the Alligators looked terrible. Florida was bound to have a rough year, but the lack of competitiveness in year three is downright embarrassing. Vandy is 1-0, Florida is 0-1.

I was almost sold Notre-Dame during the preseason. Consider me a believer. This defense, with a competent offense, is a playoff team… and better than any Kelly has fielded. Speaking of sold: Everyone pays homage to the 2-0 Georgia Tech. Ugly win, manly win, win by #RTDB. Two D1 opponents, two wins – including the expulsion of the cheating “Noles”. I don’t know that Miami lands in the top 15, but on Saturday they looked like it in every way.

The Big Two of the Big 10 looked like cheeks… as did the middle class (I’m looking at you, Northwestern, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan State). It is a good thing Michigan And Ohio State seem to have defense mechanisms that live up to their promises. On the other hand, Iowa looked very good, as did Penn State (although unfortunately Drew Allars still hasn’t made the progress he should). And be careful Nebraska: This team is going to take down some people this year. MarylandAlso not to be sniffed at is The Big Bang’s quiet 50-yard line on what is expected to be a bowl team.

USC was – dare I say, tough? Either this team was reborn under D’Anton Lynn (UCLA’s Gigachad DC) tough, or the LSU The Tigers have a long year ahead of them. Maybe both. Nussmeier presents zero vertical threat. What a waste of all that wideout talent. I’m not writing the Tigers off just yet, but them getting mauled in the trenches by USC probably doesn’t bode well. Utah was his otherwise iron self: tasteful offense, suffocating defense

Caution State of Oklahoma. About every five years, Gundy gets a team with about 18-20 returning starters, and they are hell on wheels. Many thought they would be in for a battle against the FCS dynasty powerhouse, State of South Dakota. A Jacks win was always unlikely, but it’s a game that Okie Lite would have had trouble playing. Nope – the Pokes tore them apart… as a team as talented as they should.

ArizonaThe offensive did not let up. SMU recovered, and this near-hit to Nevada is now much more forgivable. The wolf pack went out into the street and beat Troy, at Troy. Memphis looks like the class of the AAC; with such a strong team, that’s a good thing.

We also keep an eye on Carolina Coastthe after State of Jacksonville And destroyed the Gamecocks, who gave Rich Rod one of his worst home defeats as a coach. Tim Beck could have something planned in his second year. And the JMU The Dukes have lost a lot of offensive talent and their coaching staff, but the defense – my goodness, is it good.

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