🏈 Mark Schlabach "Way Too Early top 25" January vs Today

[OriginalBamachris]

January 10, 2017 Way too Early Preseason Top 25
Alabama, Florida State lead Way-Too-Early 2017 Top 25
1. Alabama
2. FSU
3. USC
4. PSU
5. Clemson
6. Ohio State

May 2, 1027
Ohio State overtakes Bama at No. 1 in post-spring 2017 Top 25
1. Ohio State
2. FSO
3. Alabama
4. USC
5. PSU
6. Oklahoma State

Is ESPN just trying to get viewers by displaying schizophrenia? opcorn2:

 

[EasyTider]

Ohio State's offense looked explosive during their 2-hand touch spring game.

 

[TerryP]

Is ESPN just trying to get viewers by displaying schizophrenia? opcorn2:

Idle thought in the form of a question.

Chances of Finebaum's producer calling Mark for a spot? I've no clue who Paul is interviewing today. That's a podcast listen.

 

[OldPlayer]

January 10, 2017 Way too Early Preseason Top 25
Alabama, Florida State lead Way-Too-Early 2017 Top 25
1. Alabama
2. FSU
3. USC
4. PSU
5. Clemson
6. Ohio State

May 2, 1027
Ohio State overtakes Bama at No. 1 in post-spring 2017 Top 25
1. Ohio State
2. FSO
3. Alabama
4. USC
5. PSU
6. Oklahoma State

Is ESPN just trying to get viewers by displaying schizophrenia? opcorn2:

This would be important if it meant anything.

 

[TerryP]

This would be important if it meant anything.

A debate that's a tradition.

It does mean something.

 

[RTB X Bot]

 

[BamaFan334]

Oh, so they just showed up basically? I seem to remember another Ohio State team recently that was hailed as the "best ever", and they were far from that. But hey, whatever you want to pedal and stand behind when it all hits the fan when the coin is flipped this Fall.

 

[TerryP]

When I go biking today I'll likely give it a listen just to see what he has to say.

The Paul Finebaum Show - PodCenter - ESPN Radio

Double or nothing. Chances there's another sports site that's just published another "Too Early..." poll that is different?

 

[TerryP]

 

[TUSKtimes]

The new Ohio State coordinator is already paying dividends cause during the two-hand touch spring game the receiver were getting downfield and that JT Barrett was looking good. Then he tells us the entire group of DBs were gutted by the NFL draft. Dude reports they also have the most stacked defensive line in college football. How hard does the best DL in college football push and blitz during 2-hand touch? There you go folks, the perfect description of a newly transformed passing attack at #2.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

The only importance of pre season....early season....is to make sure that Bama is #1 some time during season to keep the streak alive... quite a streak... 9 and counting

 

[OldPlayer]

If Alabama is ranked #1 in preseason and early season polls, we will have no reason to celebrate when the #1 team loses. I'm all for OSU, FSU, USC or others being #1 right now.

 

[#80]

I believe the winner of the Bama FSU game will be ranked #1 week two.

 

[rammerjammer]

If Alabama is ranked #1 in preseason and early season polls, we will have no reason to celebrate when the #1 team loses. I'm all for OSU, FSU, USC or others being #1 right now.

Agreed, we have seemed to always do our best, as a team, when we have something to work for. I like starting out about 4th or 5th.

 

[PurlJam]

Agreed, we have seemed to always do our best, as a team, when we have something to work for. I like starting out about 4th or 5th.

And being #1, January 9th 2018.

 

[TerryP]

Agreed, we have seemed to always do our best, as a team, when we have something to work for. I like starting out about 4th or 5th.

Of the four NC years under Saban, '09 is the only one where Bama has started outside of the top three--fifth behind USC, UT, OU, and UF. If you recall, OU lost to BYU to open the season in '09 (followed by Stoops adamantly stating OU wouldn't be having opening games like that anymore. Until they changed their mind.)

'10 started at #1 where the Tide finished 10th. (No need to rehash that season. :shock: )
In '11 and '12, they started at #2. In '15, #3.

(All AP polls listed here.)

That said, there is a valid point here. Out of the five years Bama started ranked #1 in the AP poll, there's only one season they finished ranked #1 in the same poll--1978. Now, I may be missing a year here but by my recollection the Tide started '16, '13, '10, '78, and '66 ranked as the top team by the AP.

On the same note, how many teams have been ranked, wire to wire, as #1? It's not really a Bama thing.

 

[UAgrad93]

I'm ok with starting the season NOT #1. It's all about where we finish!!

 

[TUSKtimes]

The AP poll loves to hype a game. The biggest factor for Alabama getting the nod in week one is the opponent Florida State. No opening game will have the buzz and national excitement surrounding it, included in that is the grand opening of the Mercedes Benz stadium. The closer we get to kickoff, the more human the sports writers become.

 

[TerryP]

The AP poll loves to hype a game. The biggest factor for Alabama getting the nod in week one is the opponent Florida State.

That basically mirrors what Schlabach had to say when he was on Finebaum the other day--not in so many words, though. It wasn't but a minute or two in the conversation with Paul he started mentioning "top ten match-ups" to start the season.

In his first poll, you won't find Auburn. In his second poll, you'll find Auburn and Clemson which led to Mark talking about two top ten teams meeting in week two. We saw a #6 vs #10 match-up with OU facing OSU. Now, it's a #1 versus #8. ESPN looking at broadcasting three top 10 match-ups.

One thing that did catch my attention was the mention of a third "Way Too Early Poll" coming out in the summer. What changes between now and then?