Stanford is No. 1 in football?

Oh, go climb a tree.

Wait a minute, though — the latest compilation poll by www.pollspeak.com does indeed have the Cardinal in the top spot.

This is not some blog by a Stanford grad who rigged the numbers; it’s a somewhat legitimate temperature taking of the various rankings systems currently available. Pollspeak takes the average of 10 polls that are tied to the Bowl Championship Series.


The problem is several of the ranking systems are not yet producing data, which gives you a skewed perspective.

Pollspeak has Stanford at No. 1 followed by Alabama, Oregon, Notre Dame and Kansas State. What, only one SEC school? The system must be rigged.

Stanford is getting disproportionate love right now by BCS computers and here’s why: Stanford’s three opponents — San Jose State, Duke and USC — are a combined 9-0 in other games.

Not to say Stanford isn’t deserving, but this is one reason why the BCS standings aren’t released until mid-October. Yet Stanford is not even No.1 in the simulated BCS standings produced by BCS Guru. Why? Because the BCS weights the standings 1/3 each for the two polls and the computers.


Here’s the weird thing: The early BCS standings actually have the top four in the most deserving order: Alabama, Oregon, Florida State and LSU.

Stanford is fifth, but “We’re No. 5!” really isn’t a blog-worthy rallying cry.

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