Pulling Back the Sheets: The Final USAToday Poll

It’s always an interesting exercise to look at the final (pre-bowl) coaches’ poll since the votes become a matter of public record. If you care to peruse them yourself, click here. If you’re not so inclined, here are the highlights:

Florida and Oklahoma were pretty evenly ranked either 1st, 2nd or 3rd in the poll, but Rick Neuheisel (UCLA) had OU ranked 4th on his ballot. Perhaps a nod of support to Texas (whom he ranked 1st), or a response to bleacherreport.com who accused Neuheisel of being ball-less or lacking balls.

Texas didn’t get pity from at least four places- the Longhorns had four coaches that voted them in 5th place- Baylor coach Art Briles, Mark Dantonio (Michigan State), Mike Leach (Texas Tech), and Greg Schiano (Rutgers). Leach voted Oklahoma #1 and his Red Raider team 2nd, a fact that I find laughable. If there’s logic to what he did, you’d think he would have had Texas 3rd.

Georgia coach Mark Richt displayed semi-hard SEC wood by ranking Florida 1st and Alabama 2nd. Alabama wasn’t so lucky with five other coaches who had the former #1 team 6th- Joe Glenn (Wyoming), Rocky Long (New Mexico), Greg Schiano (Rutgers), Mark Snyder (Marshall) and Ron Zooker (of the fighting Zookers, Illinois). Not to be outdone, Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema ranked ‘Bama 7th. Perhaps with an ACC team ahead in the bowl (Florida State), Bielema felt clear to take a groin shot at the SEC.

USC’s got a couple of detractors in Tommy Bowden, who had the Trojans 7th, and Howard Schnellenberger (FAU) who had USC 8th.

Boise State head man Chris Peterson apparently isn’t a fan of the Big Ten. He voted his Broncos 7th while he voted Penn State 10th and Ohio State 11th. Strong behavior from a team that has a blue astro-turf field.

Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel isn’t a fan of the mid-majors. He voted Utah 15th, Boise State 16th, and TCU 17th.

Jim Tressel and the Buckeyes got a little love from both Turner Gill (Buffalo) and Joe Tiller (Purdue) who had OSU 7th.

Finally, Gary Pinkel (Missouri) must have a timeshare in the north Georgia mountains, because he’s definitely in a Georgia state of mind. Pinkel voted Georgia Tech 9th and Georgia 12th, six and five points respectively ahead of where they finished.

And we’re all reeeeeal comfortable having the fate of college football in the hands of the above, aren’t we? Right…

You’re welcome.