Fansided Top 25 Poll: How the Lawless Republic Writers Voted
By Mitch Harper
Jan 19, 2013; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban along with wife Terry Saban ride their way to the National Championship celebration. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Along with the USA Today Coaches Poll, the Fansided Network released our Top 25 as well. This poll is ran by Kyle Kensing, the lead editor at SaturdayBlitz.com. A great site for the latest in College Football.
Each week throughout the College Football season, editors and writers throughout the 65 websites in the Fansided college network will submit their Top 25 polls. Just like the AP and Coaches Poll. The staff here at Lawless Republic submitted our and pre-season ballots and here’s how it played out.
The Fansided Top 25 had Alabama number one, and the guys here at the site felt the same way. Going to be tough to dethrone the two-time defending National Champions this season.
Mitch Harper, Lead Editor
@Mitch_Harper
1. Alabama
2. Ohio State
3. Georgia
4. South Carolina
5. Florida State
6. Texas
7. Oregon
8. LSU
9. Clemson
10. Texas A&M
11. Louisville
12. Stanford
13. Notre Dame
14. Florida
15. Miami (FL)
16. Boise State
17. Oklahoma State
18. Nebraska
19. TCU
20. Ole Miss
21. Wisconsin
22. Arizona State
23. Fresno State
24. Vanderbilt
25. Oklahoma
Here’s my poll. I was really torn on who to put at #2. After Alabama, there is a true #2 team this year in my opinion. It was either Ohio State and Georgia for me. Ohio State gets the early nod, because their schedule is so weak I would be shocked if they don’t have at least 10 wins this season.
I’m not sold on the Pac-12 North teams in Stanford and Oregon to be National Championship contenders. Stanford especially. Oregon has the speed we all know about, but I don’t see Helfrich maintaining the high level of national success that Chip Kelly brought to Eugene.
My surprise team in College Football this year is The U. No Cougar fans, not the University of Utah, the real U, Miami. Despite the hovering NCAA cloud over the Canes, Miami is loaded with talent and they have a favorable schedule to get back in the national spotlight this season.
Bean Mace, Staff Writer
@beanmace
1. Alabama
2. LSU
3. Texas A&M
4. Louisville
5. Oregon
6. Florida State
7. Ohio State
8. Georgia
9. Clemson
10. Florida
11. Oklahoma State
12. South Carolina
13. Texas
14. Oklahoma
15. Notre Dame
16. TCU
17. Michigan State
18. Ole Miss
19. Oregon State
20. Northwestern
21. UCLA
22. Nebraska
23. Boise State
24. Wisconsin
25. Virginia Tech
Bean’s poll is eye catching right at top. His top three teams all hail from the SEC West. LSU at Number 2? I know they only reload in Baton Rouge, but the shear number of guys they lost to the NFL from last season, tough to image LSU that high. When you have the Mad Hatter though, anything is possible. Then Texas A&M checks in at #3.
Also surprised with Bean’s spot for Louisville. I know the Cards are one of those teams that many feel could crash the National Championship party because they have talented Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. #4 is the highest I’ve seen a poll have Louisville. Wouldn’t be surprised that by season’s end they are in the Top 5 because they have a weak schedule. Great chance at an undefeated season.
Justin Mace, Staff Writer
@jmace22
1. Alabama
2. Georgia
3. Ohio State
4. Florida State
5. Oregon
6. Oklahoma State
7. Louisville
8. USC
9. Stanford
10. Clemson
11. South Carolina
12. LSU
13. Texas A&M
14. Florida
15. Texas
16. Ole Miss
17. Nebraska
18. Virginia Tech
19. Oklahoma
20. Oregon State
21. Wisconsin
22. Michigan
23. Penn State
24. Arizona State
25. BYU
Jmace showing some love to the Cougs at #25. Well done. Get the Cougars in the national spotlight! Besides, BYU in Jmace’s Top 25, we have to discuss USC at #8? Interesting. Haven’t seen many projections besides Phil Steele high on the Trojans who had a historic collapse last season starting as the #1 team in the AP Poll and finishing the season 7-6. You know USC has great talent in their starting lineup. But do they have they depth? The Reggie Bush NCAA sanctions have hit USC hard. Harder than many people could have imagined. If Kiffin can pull off a Top 10 season in 2013, 1) it gets some heat off of him and 2) jmace will look like a genius. USC Motto in 2013: Make Jmace look like a genius. Fight On!
Jeff Hansen, Staff Writer
@rakoto10
1. Alabama
2. Oregon
3. Texas A&M
4. Ohio State
5. Georgia
6. Stanford
7. South Carolina
8. Clemson
9. Texas
10. Notre Dame
11. Florida
12. Oklahoma State
13. Louisville
14. LSU
15. Michigan
16. Boise State
17. Oklahoma
18. Florida State
19. UCLA
20. Baylor
21. TCU
22. Wisconsin
23. Nebraska
24. Michigan State
25. Northern Illinois
With Jeff’s poll I was a bit surprised he had Florida State so low at #18. The Noles are a Top 10 talent hands down but they have been known to choke in games they shouldn’t. So I can see the logic. Unlike myself, Jeff is high on the Pac-12 North teams. Oregon at #2 which is the highest ranking for Oregon amongst writers here on the site, and Stanford at #6. Also intrigued by Baylor at #20. Since Robert Griffin and Art Briles revived that program, the Bears have been a competitive football program with a high-octane offense. Lache Seastrunk who says he is going to win the Heisman is going to be one of the best backs in College Football. Definitely a team to watch this season.
Robby Huckvale, Columnist
@robby_huckvale
1. Alabama
2. Ohio State
3. Oregon
4. Texas A&M
5. Clemson
6. Georgia
7. Michigan
8. Stanford
9. Florida State
10. Notre Dame
11. LSU
12. Florida
13. South Carolina
14. Louisville
15. UCLA
16. Kansas State
17. Texas
18. Oklahoma
19. Boise State
20. Vanderbilt
21. Nebraska
22. USC
23. TCU
24. Ole Miss
25. Northwestern
Amongst the Lawless Republic writers, Michigan hasn’t received much love. In my poll and Bean Mace’ ballot, Michigan didn’t crack the Top 25. In Robby’s poll he has the Maize and Blue ranked #7. Also Kansas State check in on Robby’s poll at #16, above Big XII foe, Texas. The Wildcats are always an underrated team under Bill Snyder, Huckvale showing the boys in Manhattan some love.
College Football kicks off on Thursday, August 29th. Four weeks from today.