Boise is No. 1, and other Week 1 Thoughts

Boise State is at the top of my poll. While I'm the only pollster who did so (and while some took the anti-Boise route after their big win, essentially dropping the Broncos in our poll), I can't see any argument as to why they shouldn't be No. 1.

Are they the best team in the country? Perhaps. After one week, they have the best win over a highly-touted Va Tech team in what amounted to a road game in a hostile atmosphere.

Are they capable of beating every team in the top 10? Obviously I think so. And in a one-game match-up, with time to prepare, Boise has shown that they are able to play with anyone.

Would they win the SEC, Big Ten, or even the ACC? Absolutely not. Every team in a BCS conference plays a team like Virginia Tech and a team like Oregon State, but then have six other big-time games. More so, the pounding of conference play means that some pre-season third or fourth string player is pressed into a starting rotation at some point in the season. That doesn't happen in the WAC, and the WAC conference schedule is made up of creampuffs that the SEC and ACC teams use for breathers.

Is an undefeated Boise team deserving of a BCS title appearance? That depends on how the season plays out. If Boise blows the doors off of every team they play (and they'll be trying to), and the SEC, Big Ten or ACC winner has two losses, then Boise should get in. But a case could be made for a two-loss SEC champion to still get in over the Broncos.

So why are the Broncos No. 1 in my poll? Because, looking at just one game, they have the best win of any team in the country and have a plethora of returning starters off an undefeated team. They won't be No. 1 in six weeks, and probably not even next week. People get consumed with polls, but everyone's rankings should fluctuate based on what happens every week. Just because a team is No. 15 this week, doesn't mean they can't be in the top 5 next.

Other Week 1 observations:

SEC
Georgia might actually be a SEC contender. They'll have a tough one this weekend in Columbia, but their new quarterback has the ability to come through with a David Green-type of frosh season, especially with the veteran offensive line. They need AJ Green back, and Washaun Ealey is needed as Caleb King just doesn't have the look of a SEC back. But UGA looks closer to challenging Alabama for SEC dominance than does Florida, Auburn or LSU. The Gators are going to be pushed by South Florida this weekend, but UF will come through. Too many rash judgments are made after Week 1. Les Miles' job is still in trouble though.

For some reason, I thought the Auburn defense would be much better this season. The return of three veteran secondary players (who missed either some or all of last season) made me seeing a (small) return to Auburn's strong defensive days. Instead the Tigers were torched for 360 yards and 26 points by Arkansas State. Right now, AU couldn't stop Hoover High. On the other hand, Cam Newton is incredibly fun to watch and will be one of the best AU QBs ever. Auburn hasn't had as much athleticism since Dameyune Craig, or perhaps even back to Reggie Slack.

TT debut at TT
I'll be honest: seeing Tommy Tuberville decked out in all-red for his Sunday debut in Lubbock would have freaked me out a little. Luckily, my parents 1996 colossal RCA television made the shirt look orange. Unluckily for Red Raider fans, they were forced to see their team almost squander a big lead to SMU. For this, I welcome Tech fans to the 'Tuberville Shell:' as safe as a turtle but as penetrable as a soft shell crab. You'll learn to bask in it. Enjoy.

D1-AA upsets
Ole Miss fans had already started their second Hotty Toddy when they realized they shouldn't have left Vaught-Hemingway so early. Alabama's Jax State took the SEC's image down a peg by beating the Rebels, but Ole Miss fans should realize it's not the end of the world; as of last Friday, they weren't going to win the National Title, so if the team can put this loss behind them, it won't matter. Houston Nutt was a victim of Jack Crowe's revenge, but he's still a good SEC coach. Ole Miss won't contend for Atlanta, but they will have a say in who competes with the Tide for the West. No one can take the Rebs lightly.

Kansas fans, on the other hand, should be a little more concerned. Going from the High Flying Mangino Machine to mustering 3 points against East-southwestern North Dakota State College is a big sign that Turner Gill may not be the answer. (As an Auburn fan, I'll point out that AU took a lot of flak for choosing Chizik over Gill.) You had to think that somewhere Saturday, Mark Mangino was laughing it up in his three recliners while enjoying a Mangino BLT and washing it down with a Mangino Protein Drink.

TV Announcers
Since we were in Athens until about 5:30 p.m., it was tough to get a handle on the TV announcers during opening weekend, but it was good to see Ron Franklin calling big(ger) games. He still deserves to be back calling the big Saturday night SEC games, and maybe CBS will grow a brain and hire Franklin to replace Verne for the 3:30 games. His voice is just too damn sexy to be wasted on crap games... that's what Pam Ward was made for.

David Pollack, on the other hand, has to be one of the worst analyst I've heard in the past few years. Pollack is the complete homer, and while that's somewhat expected on a smaller stage, Pollack's move to ESPN makes it excruciating to watch. Though Jesse Palmer had his frustrating moments, I've actually come around on him, but I don't think any in-studio analyst has frustrated me this much since Trev Albert's first season. While covering from Tallahassee during Saturday's morning broadcast, Pollack was asked what the scene was like in Jimbo Fischer's first game; his response: "Well, the days of Mark Richt and Bobby Bowden are definitely over." I would have guessed that David, since Richt was coaching you earlier this decade, the Mark Richt-FSU days have been over for a long time. And listing Mark Richt first? Seriously? He's quick to jump all over anyone who thinks any team is better than his Dawgs. Tough to stomach.

Tailgating
One of the saddest sights (and sites) I've seen is the tailgating on UGA's North Campus. It might have been due to the early kick-off, but it's hard to believe that had much affect with it being opening weekend. The tailgating ban has forced fans into downtown Athens and other areas, and North Campus was dead less than an hour before kickoff. Obviously part of the reason for the ban was due to the huge party it became but, to an Auburn fan, North Campus was one of the most fun tailgating environments that I've ever been to. I've been to most SEC campuses, but never has a scene met the debauchery, intensity and fun of UGA. Here's hoping that the ban lasts just one season (or less), and Georgia fans become Tidy Dawgs and keep trash in its place.