LSU Football: Week 1 AP Poll ranking is amusing

The Associated Press released the first poll of the 2023 college football season. Where LSU Football ranks in the Week 1 poll is amusing, to say the least.

LSU Football is ranked No. 5 nationally to start the new college football season. Voters credited the Tigers with 1276 points. The Alabama Crimson Tide are ranked No. 4 with 1398 points.

The AP poll indicates a gap between the top four teams and the rest of college football. I noted the same gap in the preseason coaches poll released last week. As such, I find it amusing that the coaches and media believe Alabama is much better than LSU.

There is an argument that Alabama throwing it back to their early Nick Saban-era style of football is why they’re the SEC West favorite. Indeed, the Tide captured four national championships from 2009-15 with quarterbacks that did not light up the box score. However, Alabama rode 200-pound running backs and ruthless defense to glory.

Will the throwback approach in Tuscaloosa edge what Brian Kelly is cooking in Baton Rouge?

I don’t have to remind LSU Football fans that the Tigers knocked off the Crimson Tide and won the SEC West a year ago. Also, I don’t have to explain to fans that LSU has continuity at both coordinator positions while Alabama is adjusting to new life with Tommy Rees and Kevin Steele.

Lastly, I don’t have to explain to fans that the Tigers’ signal-caller is the best-returning quarterback in the SEC, and Alabama has yet to figure out who their guy is.

I know many fans will claim that they do not care about rankings, and we must wait until the LSU and Alabama clash on November 4th. That is a fair stance, but I doubt fans will exercise such patience throughout the season.

Rankings are about respect, and respect matters. Moreover, respect is earned. The LSU Football program has earned the respect of coaches and media, given their success in the first year of a new regime. Thus, I get triggered when rankings suggest a significant gap between the Crimson Tide and Tigers.

Georgia is ranked as the nation’s top team with 1572 points, including 60 first-place votes. Michigan is No. 2 (1490), followed by Ohio State (1400) at No. 3.

LSU Football’s Week 1 opponent, Florida State, is ranked No. 8 with 1147 points.