In 2002, I was one of only two writers to put Sammy Sosa ahead of Barry Bonds on my National League MVP ballot. And, man, did I hear about it. I got hate e-mail from all four of Bonds’ fans.
The point is, my vote was public, as it should have been. The 65 writers who vote in the weekly Associated Press Top 25 football poll also have to face public scrutiny. So why should it be any different for the 61 coaches who participate in the USA Today/ESPN poll? It shouldn’t.
The coaches’ poll is more important this year, counting for one-third of the formula used to determine which teams play for the national championship and get bids to the other three lucrative (see: $13 million) BCS bowls.
It’s probably a fundamental flaw that coaches even are allowed to rank teams.
But this is the system we have, so we should at least try to legitimize it. Besides, I would like to know which coach currently ranks LSU No. 1, even though the Tigers needed a fourth-quarter miracle (and overtime) to beat Oregon State in their opener. I also would like to know how Nebraska, coming off a 21-17 home loss to Southern Miss, landed two votes– meaning one coach ranked the ‘Huskers 24th or two had them 25th.
And get this: Nebraska coach Bill Callahan doesn’t even vote in the poll.
