Quote:
Originally Posted by Jake
They started this season around #6 or 7 in most polls. They dropped from #1 without playing a game, and without anyone else playing a game.
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I'm just not sure you can really say they're the same team, though. The roster has changed substantially from last year - they lost their starting and backup quarterbacks, starting running back, #1 wide receiver, a starter on the offensive line, their top two tight ends, an all american defensive tackle, an all american safety, both starting cornerbacks (including one all SEC performer), an all american linebacker, and another starting linebacker. They also lost their defensive coordinator. That's a huge amount of personnel churn.
Which is largely why I don't think you can simply accept them as #1. It's
not the same team that won the national championship last year. That's not to say LSU isn't a good team, but, in my opinion, simply winning the title doesn't make you #1 the next season. I don't think Florida should have been ranked #1 going into last season, nor do I think Texas should have been #1 the year before. Philosophically speaking, I think you have to actually analyze the teams to rank them.