Still #1 ................ Oklahoma Sooners ...........
Well Oklahoma University has proven that their #1 ranking atop of the college polls would appear to be justified. But with what we've seen over the past few with many of the top programs. It could be a moment in the sun for some or a quiet storm arising for others.

Sooners' quarterback Sam Bradford is chased by Baylor's Trey Bryant . picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Tom Turner ...........................
Today Oklahoma made their intention very clear that it's all or nothing for them in pursuit of a national championship. Their 49-17 rout of Baylor University now puts them at 5-0 and their meeting with the Texas Longhorns next week becomes all the more intriguing within the Big 12. And though there are doubts as to the veracity of Oklahoma's claim to that number 1 ranking. The Sooners has been playing an exciting brand of football on all fronts. But there's a feeling that Mizzou their counterpart within the Big 12 is seen as a legitimate contender and if anything has more of a claim to the number 1 ranking. Albeit that both teams are unbeaten and are rivals within the conference. But then again this is what makes the college game all the more intriguing and the same not without controversy.

Juaquin Iglesias of Oklahoma races down the sidelines after hauling in catch from Sam Bradford during the game against Baylor Unviversity. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Tom Turner ..................
And though much has been made of the season thus far it's becoming abundantly clear that there are a number of people who feel that the rankings are in many ways skewered. If anything we're seeing that the polls and all that they stand for is apparently meaningless. The rankings as they now stand leaves mulling over what the BCS season may well be about. If nothing else there are a number of us now hoping that many of the teams are able to acquit themselves well. With the partiality and averseness shown by the BCS system and what they stand for. It's now becoming clear that even teams who've proven their worth even outside the BCS conferences stand very little chance of being offered a morcel of being part of the regular postseason play.

Iglesias tries evade the defensive stance of Baylor's Jake La Mar and Trenton Hill . picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Tom Turner ..........
Bob Stoops as the coach of Oklahoma has seen this all before and now will have to lead his team with a great deal of authority if they're to fare well for the remainder of the season. If nothing else it's all too easy for many of the top teams to undersestimate an opponent , lose and then we're making claims as to them being overrated . If not that they weren't good enough to be a top 10 ranked team let alone a top 25 team to begin with. Such are vagaries that are placed in the faith of the rankings. In reality they don't really tell much about a team at all. Much like any poll the information gleaned from them they can be made to suit the purpose of argument without ever proving anything tangible.

Earl Patin of Baylor tries to catch Jermain Gresham of Oklahoma during their game played in Waco , Texas. The game was won in emphatic fashion by Oklahoma 49-17. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Travis Ryan ...............
The game was never in doubt from the start as Bob Stoops' team set out to stamp their authority and identity on this game. At the same time making those out there aware that they are now a force to be reckoned with. The play of Sooners' quarterback Sam Bradford while not outstanding was enough to get this team by. And though to an extent Baylor put up somewhat of a spirited resistance. It was clear that they'd be no match for this demanding Oklahoma team.
Sooners' wide receiver Brandon Caleb(8) gets by Baylor defender Cliff Odom during their game played in Waco , Texas. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Tony Gutierrez ...........
We may well question the quality of the teams and somewhat the conferences that they play in. But if anything else it's all predicated on the quality of the football being played within those conferences. Furthermore the recruiting and the coaching very much plays a part as to what we eventually witness on the field. We all tend to have our opinions as to the quality when assessing many of the teams. But unless the results are there to give us any semblance as to what we're seeing in terms of productive football. We're often left with nothing more than a perception of what we're told is the best that the BCS has to offer by way of college football .
tophatal .............................
- Top
Great read and dead on. Your point of the teams outside the chosen few having a shot at a BCS let alone a NCG are painfully accurate.
Without sounding overly dramatic, the days of school pride and conference bragging rights have been replaced by the win at all costs, bowl alignment for dollars, marketing, recruiting to please the boosters etc. There is now so much on the line with wins and losses week to week, how do we ignore performance and rely on polls to tell us who is the best. USC is still one of the best in the country and in some minds still the best even with an embarrassing loss to an Oregon State team.
We need a playoff system.........It may not be perfect but at least 8 (?) teams will have a shot at it instead of the 5 who currenlty have a shot going into each season and the two deserving(???????) teams who rightly or wrongly get the nod (OSU/LSU last year) - I'm not at all convinced that OU is the best team in the nation. This is pretty much the same team that got spanked by WVA at the end of last year. I understand why they don't have a playoff system in NCAA FB but it sure would be fun if they did.
- Before the season started my picks were Oklahoma and Florida. The Sooners are a complete team, but they have not played anyone worth looking twice at. One can only expect that they will beat Texas and turn around and lose against a lesser team...it's their mantra...you know like Clemson constantly underachieving. --SRM
- The preseason rankings need to be banished. They never will, what with football crazy fans living and breathing the sport 24/7/365. But in order to give the Ball State's of the world a shot, let the rankings (the ones that count anyway, not Joe Schmoe's top 25) come out after a few weeks of teams proving themselves.
- Good reading TOP-I look forward to this weekend-you gotta play the game...Xbul
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Sports' oriented ......and other sundry topics. As can be seen by the Categories within the site. Hopefully you'll like what you see ? Chimin' out. tophatal .............

