Explanation, please?
As many of you know, I vote in the Harris Poll. And I post my selections every Sunday. So, there are no secrets.
Yet, when I looked at the poll released today, I was dumb-founded to see UCLA received one vote. I found that more than a little curious.
Unfortunately, the Harris Poll folks don't release everyone's ballot during the season. It is only done on the final ballot. If anyone can find who voted for the Bruins, I would be very curious to see if said voter had any idea what he/she is doing.
Anyway, here is this week's poll:
1. Oklahoma (106) 5-0 2837 1
2. LSU (2) 4-0 2604 2
3. Alabama (6) 6-0 2594 3
4. Missouri 5-0 2553 4
5. Texas 5-0 2447 5
6. Penn State 6-0 2210 6
7. Texas Tech 5-0 2036 8
8. USC 3-1 2025 7
9. Brigham Young 5-0 1964 9
10. Georgia 4-1 1803 10
11. Florida 4-1 1768 11
12. Ohio State 5-1 1577 14
13. Utah 6-0 1416 15
14. Vanderbilt 5-0 1327 19
15. Boise State 4-0 1177 18
16. Kansas 4-1 1157 17
17. Oklahoma State 5-0 964 23
18. Virginia Tech 5-1 802 22
19. South Florida 5-1 593 12
20. Auburn 4-2 456 13
21. Michigan State 5-1 424 NR
22. Wake Forest 3-1 351 25
23. Northwestern 5-0 268 NR
24. Wisconsin 3-2 233 16
25. North Carolina 4-1 194 NR
Others Receiving Votes
California 169, Tulsa 143, TCU 139, Georgia Tech 126, Florida State 119, Illinois 108, Ball State 85, Pittsburgh 74, Kentucky 61, Oregon 51, Notre Dame 40, Boston College 38, Fresno State 36, Connecticut 29, Arizona 25, Minnesota 11, Maryland 10, West Virginia 3, OLE MISS 2, UCLA 1.
Dropped From Rankings
Fresno State 20, Oregon 21, Connecticut 24.
The only explanation that I can think of is the progress taking place in the program and the fact that the 20th-25th ranked teams could be any teams in the country at this point. The last five is a lot more fluid than the top five.
As for progress in Westwood, scores from the last four games would lead you to believe the program is moving in the right direction.
BYU 59, UCLA 0
Arizona 30, UCLA 10
Fresno State 36, UCLA 31
UCLA 28, Washington State 3
Based on these scores alone, UCLA is improving game-over-game. All of that will be put to the test in Eugene next weekend. I really don't know what to expect. It will either be a pleasant surprise or another rude awakening. We shall see.
I don't know, but it makes me feel very good that every team we have lost to is ranked and/or receiving votes.
I would go with substance abuse. It's really the only explanation. I would not put us in the top 25 unless we beat Oregon, Stanford and Cal. That would merit a ranking... possibly.
But then again, Dodgers swept the Cubs so who knows what can happen.
As for progress in Westwood, scores from the last four games would lead you to believe the program is moving in the right direction.
BYU 59, UCLA 0
Arizona 30, UCLA 10
Fresno State 36, UCLA 31
UCLA 28, Washington State 3
I like this trend :-)
UCLA 60 Oregon -25
Stanford -64 UCLA 90
UCLA 125 Cal -97
OSU -130 UCLA 155
UCLA 187 UW -160
UCLA 215 ASU -200
USC -235 UCLA 240
i think brian is making doubly sure hes not credited for that vote, since he covers ucla
its prolly some east coast guy that hasnt watched a pac-10 game in his anti-westist life, and just glances over scores. like seriously.
but...we'll take the vote lol =)
It was I.
Mr. Dohn,
You sure have no qualms about kicking a guy while he's down and then throwing salt in the open wound.
Couldn't you have done this in a private search.
Your stock just dropped about 50% in my eyes.
BruinGuy: I agree... Brian and company seem to have taken on a more caustic tone lately (from this post to the falling asleep post, and many more). I don't know if they're trying too hard to be impartial (and ending up on the wrong side), and I don't expect cheerleading here, but it's becoming more than a bit grating.
Stop crying, girls. The fact is that we are 2-3, and coming off a win against WSU. Whoever voted for us is obviously a homer. Now, if we beat Oregon this week, then we deserve a vote or two. Start crying about this next week.
it was scott wolf who voted for ucla
I would look to the two teams we beat. I would be surprised if it wasn't a beat reporter for Washington State or Tennesee. Your loses look a whole lot better when they are not against teams that are also struggling.
it was ME...ow
Which cat are you? And why are you on my computer!? Go back to the ottoman and wait till I get home!