Is LSU ranked #1 by default?

Question

They had a better team last season with a better QB, wrs, better defense and yet they're ranked #1 this season.

LSU's D couldn't stop the run up the middle and and Florida killed themselves with 2 turnovers late with a 10 pt lead

Answer 1

It may not be love in bloom, but when it comes to picking America's top college football team, LSU is the unanimous choice.

The Tigers sealed that position with their narrow trumph over defending national champion Florida last week.

"I don't really love LSU, but their defense is tough!" said Professional Handicappers League member Bill Fishman.

"I had Florida, which was a winner.

"I also had them straight up and on the money line, so it was a tough loss with 1:08 left."

While there's no disagreement on No. 1, No. 2 is hardly unanimous, outside the country's two major polls.

Fishman goes along with voters in the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches' Polls and picks 5-0 Cal for the runnerup spot, while fellow PHL member Jerry Johnson tabs once-beaten Oklahoma (5-1) and Las Vegas oddsmaker Ken White lists USC (4-1), a narrow upset loser to Stanford last weekend.

The USA Today Coaches' Poll ranks the Trojans seventh, while the AP drops them all the way down to 10th this week.

Las Vegas Sports Consultants, however, has them right behind the Tigers.

"Oh yeah, they're too good a team (to drop down)," White said.

"I think they're better than LSU, but of course you can't rank them ahead of the Tigers with one loss.

"I know LSU beat Florida, but I still think USC is the better team."

The gambling specific BGS Power Ratings have LSU on top with hio State 2nd, Oklahoma 3rd and Cal 4th.

Fishman is high on Boston College (6-0), which meets Notre Dame this weekend.

He ranks the Golden Eagles, who are laying two touchdowns, third.

"I just love their quarterback (Matt) Ryan," he said.

Johnson is so high on the Sooners that he hopes they play LSU for the BCS National Championship at the New Orleans Superdome on Jan. 8, 2008.

Fishman would like to see a pair of matchups, one on each side of the ball.

"LSU versus Ohio State would be a grueling game on the defensive side and Boston College and Cal on the offensive side," he said.

LSU plays No. 17 Kentucky this weekend and that's a game both Fishman and Johnson are anticipating.

Bodog Sportsbook had the Tigers laying 10 points on Friday morning, though it was minus 9 1/2 most places.

Oklahoma (minus 12) versus No. 11 Missouri, an impressive winner over Nebraska last week, and #15 Cincinnati (minus 10) at Louisville are another pair of matchups drawing their attention.

"If we'd made a line before the season started, Louisville would have been favored by about 6," said Las Vegas oddsmaker White, who lists Cincy as one of the clubs that has surprised him most.

Another game Fishman likes is Illinois-Iowa.

The Illini are giving up 3 1/2 points in a week in which many favorites are laying double digits.

"Trap?" Fishman asked.

PHL member Jimmy Boyd also is turning to the Big 10 in selecting the game to which he looks forward most.

"I'm interested in the Purdue/Michigan matchup this week," Boyd said.

"After starting 0-2, the Wolverines are sitting at 2-0 in the Big Ten.

"Both of Michigan's losses this season have come at home.

"Purdue is 1-1 in the Big Ten, but has a better overallt record than Michigan.

"They were silenced at home by Ohio State last week and will be trying to bounce back here.

"The Boilers are 2-0 on the road this season.

"Michigan is going to have to get through this one if they want any shot at a Big Ten title this season.

"The books opened with the line at 5 1/2 in favor of the Wolverines.

"It should be a good matchup."

Bodog Sportsbook pegged the number at Michigan minus 6 on Friday morning.

Answer 2

Right now LSU is playing the best football in the country. It is no surprise that they are #1.

Last year they had a team that was perfectly capable of being #1 and may have been even better than the 2007 version. (I thought LSU 2006 was better than Florida). But you can't always win and they lost two games against good opponents.

LSU still has eight (8) games to go and it will be very tough to win them all. The ball has a way of bouncing funny sometimes.

Answer 3

This years defense is the best in school history. Possibly the best in NCAA history. LSU is ranked #1 because so far this year they have beaten all challengers, including 3 ranked teams and the defending National Champ. What reasons can you think of for them not to be ranked #1??

Answer 4

Why do people say things like "their 2 turnovers late killed them". What about LSU's turnovers early? Did that help them? A defense is supposed to create turnovers. An offense is not supposed to make them. When a offensive does turn the ball over, credit should go to the other teams defense. WTF should be #1 there genius?

Answer 5

last year they had a much tougher schedule playing at auburn at florida at arkansas and at tennessee. LSU has lots of depth. And as for your QB comment. That is debatable. They were a good team last year and are good team this year. They are easily number 1 team in the nation. being undfeated in SEC is deserving of number 1

Answer 6

They're ranked #1 because they're the best team in the country. Who else is better? Not Florida. Not USC. And, as we may see in early January, not California.

Answer 7

LSU is a powerhouse, but the teams this year arent as good. Lsu is a dirty physical team and will take over the SEC by storm.

Answer 8

What are you talking about? LSU is #1 because they are unanimously rated as the top team. Maybe you should read this article and then think about the question you raised.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3053159

Answer 9

your right Ohio State has a much better ball team