Associated Press Preseason Poll: Oregon Ranked 3rd, Stanford 4th But How Did They Vote?
Nov 17, 2012; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive line prior to the snap against the Stanford Cardinal at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
The Associated Press Preseason Poll was released on Saturday morning bright and early at 7am and in case you missed it Oregon is slated to start the season ranked at #3 – similar to the USA Today poll the Stanford Cardinal is at #4. There is no surprise that Alabama is #1 and Ohio State is #2, but if you take a look at the breakdown of voters many chose the Ducks at #2. Sixteen times in fact. However there are several voters, as usual, who need to be whacked in the head with a wet noodle.
Rob Long in Baltimore Maryland and John Clay from the Lexington Herald Leader in Lexington Kentucky either don’t stay up late for night games or don’t really know what is going on in Eugene. Both picked the Ducks to start the season at #10. Long’s Top 5 include Alabama, Ohio State, Texas, Texas A&M, and South Carolina. Mr. Clay’s Top 5 include Alabama, Ohio State, South Carolina, Stanford and Clemson.
Most other voters had Oregon between 3 and 7 – (out of 61 voters)the Ducks overall average was 3.75. If you look at where Stanford sits in the first poll, right behind the Ducks at #4 (Clay voted the Cardinal at #4, Long a #6) they only have seven 2nd place votes and thirteen third place votes. Their worst placements are 10th and 12th. The Cardinal’s most common ranking was 4th(19 times).
Oregon and Stanford both kick off the 2013 campaign on Saturday August 31st. The Ducks host Nicholls State(1pm, Fox Sports 1) inside Autzen Stadium. Stanford won’t see the field until September 7th vs San Jose State.(8pm PT, Pac 12 Network)
Other Pac 12 Teams in the initial AP Top 25 Poll include Oregon State(25), USC(24), and UCLA(21)
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