Hello! I’m lead FBS Beat Writer Dallas Smith, and welcome to the first ever FSPN Poll! This is where six of our top analysts give their take on the top 25. These are also called the “Blurb Rankings”, as we give a little blurb on each top 12 team. Meet our analysts:

Dallas Smith II, FBS Beat Writer

Jon Moss, First Take Host

Schick Dapp, PTI Host

Sucan Blatt, FSPN Journalist

Joshua Average, DI Writer

Drew Swagger, FSPN Analyst

Us six are ready to give our take. Note: This is not the Coaches Poll, or the AP Poll.

#1 – Pittsburgh (4)

If Pitt were to be described by a WWE Pay Per View, It would 100% be No Mercy. Their 35-24 win over Syracuse shows potential for Pitt to run the entire table. Their brutal OOC and strong conference has not weakened their determination, and their ability to consistently put up points will keep the fans pleased. And why wouldn’t they, because Pitt has over come one of the hardest one two punches in games versus Missouri and Marshall, dominating the former. I’m already penciling in Pitt into my playoff bracket. – Blatt



#2 – North Carolina State (1)



NC State checks in at number 2 after beating UNLV, a FCFB playoff semifinalist last year, on the road. They have blown through the competition since, winning all of their games by at least 2 scores. However, their opponents in that 3 game stretch have a combined record of 3-9. The Wolfpack will have to battle a weak schedule throughout the season and must avoid bad losses if they hope to make the playoffs. They take on Florida State this week, a team that is much better than their 1-3 record indicates. – Swagger

#3 – Duke (1)

The Blue Devils have had an extremely impressive start to their campaign, racing ahead to an early 4-0 record. These aren’t empty wins either, Duke defeated a former playoff team in Iowa State 53-43, handing the Cyclones their only loss of the year thus far. They’ve also beat in-state rival North Carolina, whose two other losses were one score defeats to a top 10 Virginia and a top SEC side in Kentucky. However, all of these tests pale in comparison to the one that lies directly ahead, as Duke squares off against Pittsburgh in the league’s first ever #1 vs #2 matchup this week. – Moss

#4 – California

Cal has started off strong with a win over defending PAC-12 champion USC. Their next two games against Arizona and Oregon will show whether they are as good as their 4-0 record says. – Dapp

#5 – Akron

The darling of computers worldwide, Akron seemingly flew under the radar during the first three weeks of the season. That all changed of course, when they smashed an overrated Southern Mississippi team on national television. The Zips must now prepare for a stretch of difficult and trying challenges, as they face off with an overlooked Western Michigan squad this week, followed by clashes against the superb UMass and a motivated Ball State. – Moss

#6 – Iowa State

The Cyclones slide in at number 6. They are a undervalued team, who somehow landed in the 20’s last week, before they destroyed Oklahoma. Their only loss is to a great Duke team. This week they face Kansas in a game that could decide the conference. – Smith

#7 – Virginia

Undefeated at 4-0, Virginia comes in at 7 due to beating four 1-3 teams by an average of 7.8 points. The real test lies ahead with four straight games against currently undefeated Duke, Pitt, in-state rival Virginia Tech, and BYU. – Average

#8 – Southern Cal/USC

Southern Cal looks like a good team on paper. They only have one loss, to a #4 California team. They have a dominating win over #13 Western Kentucky. It only gets harder from here, starting next week against Oregon. Look for the Trojans to be a major contender for the Playoff. – Smith

#T-9 – Marshall

Being ranked at 9 would be a huge achievement for most teams, but not Marshall. The defending National Champions had a fairly weak non-conference schedule except for a game against Pitt, which they lost 21-10 in a nomination for FCFB’s Game of the Year. Marshall is looking to get back on track against a good Southern Miss team, and 3 undefeated teams still left for the season. – Dapp

#T-9 – Old Dominion

Criminally underrated with wins over Nevada and Miami (OH), both 3-1, ODU suffers from having beat weaker competition in Weeks 3 and 4. They look to make some statement wins against Arizona State and WKU over the next two weeks. – Average

#11 – Boston College

Despite being 11th in the poll, the Eagles are the 5th team out of the ACC ranked, signs of how dominant the conference is. BC is 4-0 with quality wins on the road at Indiana and Wake Forest, which are both strong teams, and also defeated Louisville, a playoff contender last season. However, it doesn’t get any easier for the Eagles. They have #1 Pitt and #2 NC State left on their schedule, along with 4-0 Virginia Tech. Boston College can be legitimate playoff contenders by winning 2 out of 3 of those games. – Swagger

#12 – Kansas

The Jayhawks come in at number 12 after a heartbreaking loss in Stillwater. This doesn’t mean they’re out though, by a long shot. The Jayhawks know how to put up points. They will need to bring everything to the table this week when they take on Iowa State. If they lose, they could be losing the conference with it. – Smith



And now, the rest of the rankings:

#13 – Western Kentucky

#14 – Brigham Young/BYU

#15 – North Texas

#16 – Toledo

#17 – Southern Mississippi

#18 – Southern Methodist/SMU

#19 – Oklahoma State

#20 – Appalachian State

#21 – Virginia Tech

#22 – Liberty

#23 – Massachussets

#24 – Arizona State

#T-25 – Ball State

#T-25 – UNLV

Underrated Team of the Week: Massachussets

Overrated Team of the Week: North Texas

Surprise Of The Week: Arizona State

Gameday Prediction: Pitt > Duke, 3 votes to 1