Who else thinks the college polls were based off of popularity?

College Polls are based on "Popularity and Tradition" first, actual talent second. It's always been that way, from ND's dominance to Alabama to Nebraska to teams like USC and LSU today. If they are going to have a poll, I think they should wait at least 3-4 weeks into the season instead of preseason rankings.

It's a damn shame to me that these polls determine the national champion in the first place. I'm sick of the cop-outs and just wish they would have a playoff.

There's always an element of popularity involved. It just can't be avoided. The more popular & well publicized a team is, the more people know about them & tend to vote for them. That's why polls & the BCS are such a load. They all aim to tell who really is #1 but none of them can. The only way to know is line 'em up & play. And even then it only shows who is better that game. Polls aren't purely popularity contests, but they'll always be influenced by popularity.

i would agree that there is some bias in every poll...

luckily the true poll that really matters comes out 8 weeks into the season. i think too many people put too much emphasis on preseason polls, as we've seen on this site. when the BCS rankings come out, then we'll really have something to talk about. until then, its really all speculation.

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whats wrong w/ corn dogs? i think theyre delicious! who remembers going to the fair, the circus, the beach etc etc as a kid and getting a corn dog and big ol soda!! ?? who wouldnt like that?!

I agree. Not to knock on my own team, but everyone is so skeptical about Florida. Personally, I think we deserve the number 4 spot on the list, maybe even 3, but if we hadn't won the NC last year, the inexperience on defense would put us out of the top ten.

I think Florida's a great team and has a serious chance of proving people wrong this year who question Tebow's throwing ability and Florida's ability to regain a powerful defensive game. I just think it's a good example of "defending champs" being ranked high before natural talent. Not to knock on USC because they deserve the number 1 spot, but I wonder if they didn't have so much raw talent this year, if they would still be ranked number one. My money is one yes, they would, based on tradition and history itself.

I guess I'm contradicting myself though, since I think Florida really has the potential (since it's so early in the season), to be better than every team it is currently ranked higher than. I guess I'm just answering this question from the voter's point of view, if the voter were to vote based on pure talent and experience.

That said, if you're not a Gator, you're Gator bait.

GO GATORS!!!!!!!!!

popularity and most importantly money is the contributing factors to the polls. ncaa can't have teams boise st. , louisville etc. in the championship game cause it wouldn't make the money that the "popular" schools would make.

one poll it's sports writers who haven't played football since they were 12 yrs. old, so what could they possibly know about schemes and anything really.

other is coaches who just vote for their friends.

Personally i have more respect for coaches poll, but AP poll gets more hype b/c sportswriters hype their own poll.

Popularity and name recognition. Yes.

Since most equations are based on opponent, then those that play bigger name schools and win get boosted up.

NO The polls are not based off of popularity. That has got to be a most stupid question yet.

no

That is a stupid question.

Grow up corn dog