Sports media is a world where takes are generally hot and everyone likes to #EmbraceDebate. Some hot takes are actually well put together, but others are basically purposeless. These purposeless takes often manifest themselves in polls. I will say polls are meaningful. It gives the general viewing public something to establish importance of teams and games. For postseason stuff, it is an easy way to give out awards and in College Football it even establishes who has a chance to win the championship.
Unfortunately, polls take a different shape than that a lot of times. Most people are reasonable, sound-of-mind individuals. But, others have a point that they want to make (a point that is oftentimes purposeless) and they use their vote as an outlet to voice this idiotic opinion. A very good recent example that outlines this point perfectly is the one asshole that voted for Isaiah Thomas, small man and infamously horrible defender, to be a member of the NBA’s all-defensive team.
Another place this purposelessness runs absolutely rampant is the Student Union Top 25. Today I would like to bring one particular poll to light. It is the poll of Patrick Norton.
I would like for you, dear reader, to observe this poll. Look very, very carefully. There is one omission that is more absurd than game 5 of this World Series or the fact that Butch Jones is still employed.
If it is taking you this long, then you need to watch more football. Alabama did not make the poll. Yes, THAT Alabama. The program that reels in the best recruiting class in the SEC every year, dating all the way back to 2010. The program that hasn’t done anything but win the SEC since 2013, and will most likely do it again.. The team that is undefeated this season.
And Norton cites scheduling as a reason to leave them off the list ENTIRELY
Sure, Alabama hasn’t played anyone yet. The Florida State win doesn’t matter at all at this point. The next best team they’ve played is probably Texas A&M. Still, they haven’t suffered a loss and that A&M game is the only one that has ended with a single-digit score differential. Sometimes, the schedule doesn’t work out so all you can do as a team is win games. Bama is doing that in dominating fashion.
If that concept isn’t enough for you, I understand. But the problem with an argument such as this is that you need to be consistent across the board if you are going to have a take that is this scorching hot. While Alabama is left off the list for playing “an FCS schedule” (which is also not true, but not the point of this article), Wisconsin, Miami, UCF, USF, Memphis and three SEC teams not from Georgia were all treated fairly well in this poll. For the specific names mentioned, there are a combined two wins against ranked opponents: Memphis against #25 UCLA and Memphis against #25 Navy. They also all have a combined two losses. Bama has none.
Additionally, putting three SEC teams other than Georgia in the poll above Alabama is just an absolute absurdity. A few points: firstly, LSU, Auburn and Mississippi State all have two losses. This is a quick reminder that Alabama has none no matter who they have played. Only four other teams in the country can say that. Saying Alabama is the fourth best team in the SEC is just laughable, which leads to probably the most important thing to keep in mind:
The Eye Test
Polls are not meant to be based simply on resume. There is more to sports than wins and losses. So if an undefeated record isn’t enough to convince you of Alabama’s skill level, then simply need to watch a game. Truly good teams win games, no matter who they are playing, especially in college. With young players that are not all the most elite talents, losses happen at random times (see: Clemson, USF, Washington). The difference with Alabama is those losses don’t happen. They remind teams every single week that they are in a league of their own by dominating on all three sides of the ball due to physical and mental superiority.
I understand the concept of this specific poll. Use an extreme argument in order to drive home a point. It’s cute, but it’s not meaningful sports debate. Alabama is the best team in the country. Losing a game in the regular season is an impossibility. With a loss to Georgia in the SEC final, this narrative changes entirely and this season becomes the season of fraudulence for the Crimson Tide, especially if they still make it into the College Football Playoff. And if they do lose to Georgia, I don’t think they should. But will they? Probably. Because they are the most talented, the most well-coached, the most physically elite and the most dominant team in the country.
All this is basically just to say polls are stupid. Because people make polls. And people are stupid. Therefore, there is only one logical outcome. I hate Bama as much as the next guy, but if you think they are a worse football team than anyone outside of the top 8 of the AP poll, you need to get your head examined.