My first AP Top 25 poll

August 17, 2008

By Jon Johnson

OK, so my first attempt at ranking the college football teams is there for all to see in Sunday’s Aug. 17 print edition.
I was asked to be a voter on the AP Top 25 football poll this season, and glady accepted the opportunity. It means having to research some teams I have little interest in, but it’s also a duty I take serious and I’m looking forward to.
My top pick was Georgia, as it was for 21 others of the total 65 voters. The selections were due Aug. 1, before injuries and suspensions hit the Bulldogs. Still, I believe Georgia deserves to start the season in the No. 1 slot based on the way it finished the season a year ago. With that said, Georgia has an unbelievably tough schedule and it will be remarkable if the Bulldogs hold onto the top slot. But if they do some how, some way, go through the regular slate unblemished, there’s no doubt who the top Dawg should be.
I put Auburn at No. 9 because I really believe this team will put a lot of points on the scoreboard this season with its new offense, and I believe the defense is good enough to get the job done despite an inexperienced secondary. But mostly, I believe Auburn can keep a top 10 ranking because of a favorable schedule, which includes home games against LSU, Tennessee, Arkansas and Georgia.
I put Alabama at No. 24 because I do believe the Tide will be a Top 25 team this year despite a rugged schedule. I believe Alabama will pull some upsets this year we may not see coming, but due to lack of depth, we may also see Bama get upset a time or two.
My Top 25 picks will appear in the print edition each week.