LSU #5 in AP poll

USC begins quest for three-peat as No. 1

By RALPH D. RUSSO
AP Sports Writer



Here's why Southern California is No. 1 in The Associated Press preseason poll: Every player who scored a touchdown in the Trojans' 55-19 victory over Oklahoma in last season's Orange Bowl is still playing for USC. And so is Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart, who threw five TD passes.

Leinart, Reggie Bush and the rest of Pete Carroll's crew provided a scary glimpse of what was to come in 2005 when they wrapped up their second straight national title on that warm January night in Miami.

This year's goal is three in a row, something that's never been done.

"It's always good to be on top, but at the same time we're focused and coach Carroll always reminds us, 'Don't worry about who's No. 1 or No. 2. Just stay focused,'" said sophomore receiver Dwayne Jarrett, who finished off a big freshman year with 115 yards and a touchdown in the Orange Bowl.



USC received 60 out of a possible 65 first-place votes in the media poll released Saturday, grabbing the top spot in the preseason for the fifth time in school history.
"My statement on that is what I always say: It's a reflection of what's happened in the past and the respect that people show our program, so in that sense it's a really nice recognition," Carroll said, "but it doesn't amount to much until we do something about it and prove that we're worthy of that. And it's a long ways before that."

No. 2 Texas (1,500 points), coming off an 11-1 season and a Rose Bowl win, got four first-place votes. Tennessee is No. 3 and Michigan and LSU round out the top five.

 

I guess thats a good place to start.

 

Not bad....within shooting distance of those other four overrated teams!

 

The link:

http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/fronts/COLLFOOTBALL?SITE=LABAT& SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

 

Can't complain about starting #5.

 

The whole tennessee deal trips me out... Loss to Notre Dame, barely beats Vandy and Kentucky, beat by Auburn, win against TA&M... Hardly what I would call a strong finish.. You always hear about teams "building for next year" by winning late in the season... Is the Cotton Bowl win the only reason for Tennessee starting this high?

 

But the good news is that we go head to head with Tennessee early in the season. None of the other three in the top five get the chance to knock off one another.

 

Yes and they will be 2-3 by early October.

 

Don't you have to repeat before you can three-peat? Wtf? Didn't LSU win something in 2003?

USC blows.

 

Dude, I tried to give you a shot of green...but it won't let me.