Why is Stanford at #4 in the AP Poll?

Stanford is a top 10 team but being #4 seems silly. Stanford has beat 1 team with more than 6 wins this year (No that is not a typo). The Cardinals also have failed to impress in their only 2 games against the top 25 with a triple OT win and getting demolished at home.

Does Oklahoma State's loss in OT to a team that is about as good as Cal (A team Stanford barely snuck by this weekend in a dramatic 3 point win) while being undefeated against the top 25 teams make them worse than Stanford?. The computers have OK State still at #2.... they have played a much better schedule.

Virginia Tech, has a resume much like Stanford's. Major loss to a current 2 loss team that is in the top 25 and a victory over another top 25 team. Virginia Tech's schedule feels like its a little bit deeper than Stanford's and the computers agree with that but the problem is that the ACC perception is costing them votes. Voters are looking at the name of the teams they are playing not the quality.

Boise State, has done better than Stanford against top 25 teams this year. A missed field goal loss to a top 25 at home (With the preseason all conference starting running back out, the practice squad's corner backs starting and 2nd team all American DT on the sidelines) and a demolition win over another top 25 team on the road. Boise State's schedule is the definition of reading the names on the jersey's instead of looking at how well they are doing. The computers have them in front of Stanford for a reason, Boise has beat the current 1st place team (or tied for 1st place) in the MAC, WAC (has played less games but is projected to tie for 1st), CUSA and the SEC East so far this season.

Houston has played nobody and is ranked #11 by the computers for a reason. The best team Houston plays this year (Tulsa) is going to be the 4th hardest team Boise played, the 7th hardest Oklahoma State played and the #8 hardest Oklahoma played. I am not sold BUT the important thing worth noting here is that if you are going to reward Stanford for smashing cupcakes (and sometimes struggling) than why not reward a team that DIDN'T lose by 23 points at home?

Heck, if we are getting down to it. Oklahoma is ahead of Stanford in the computers by a long shot because they have played a WAY tougher schedule but I understand them behind them because losing to Texas Tech. Even more so, is Oregon's loss to USC on a missed field goal so bad that it makes them lower than Stanford (Stanford needed triple OT to beat USC and was losing late in the game). Do you really blame Oregon for losing to LSU?

Long story short college football is a mess this year but does anybody have a reason why the AP is in love with Stanford?

P.S. I actually like Stanford but this was a pleasant surprise that was REALLY unexpected.