This is an example of a real AP Poll ballot from @DougLesmerises: Link: http://t.co/K94YxTF53p Pic: pic.twitter.com/r0toVDWAG3
— The SEC Logo (@SEC_Logo) September 9, 2013
The above is a tweet I came across via The SEC Logo (@SEC_Logo). Yes, that is an actual vote cast by an AP member for the ranking of college football teams. I personally have no problem with this ranking, as long as it is viewed from the perspective of who is playing the "best" football as of right now and not a prediction of who will win the BCS title. I can agree that Clemson has played some really good football the first two weekends. They beat a Georgia team that looked really good against South Carolina. Alabama did not look all that impressive against Virginia Tech. Hell, I would suggest that Alabama be ranked behind Oregon, Georgia, and Louisville if we are basing it purely on quality of football played this season to date. However, that is my main point. What are these polls actually based on? In a vast majority of the votes, Alabama is ranked #1 overall. And rightly so, given it's from the perspective of the reigning champ hasn't been beaten yet. And therein lies the problem. Too many people cast votes based on such a wide variety of criteria. With the millions upon millions of dollars that are up for grabs, ultimately based on these types of votes, there needs to be more rules in place to set guidelines on voting criteria. Even with the playoffs coming to college football next season, the AP and USA Today polls can still play a major role in influencing the selection committee. Can you imagine the backlash the selection committee would receive if they were to by pass a unanimous #4 ranked team in both AP and USA Today polls for any other team? I don't even want to imagine what would happen if a by-passed team were ranked higher than #4. Riots may break out across the country.
All in all, I think the point I'm trying to make is that the NCAA would be wise to make some sort of official statement in the off season declaring these polls invalid and of no importance in selecting playoff teams. And they should make that statement multiple times. OR.... they could attempt to impose rules and/or guidelines in voting for AP and USA Today members. But in my opinion, trying to tell the media what to do is like trying to tell a spoiled child no. So the former of the two ideas is probably the best course of action.
In the end, transparency in selection criteria will do the selection committee wonders in the eye of the public. If the teams and the public know what it takes to make the playoffs ahead of time, then that will greatly minimize the controversy come selection time.
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