http://www.al.com/sports/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/sports/1221729316130510.xml&coll=1
League’s rankings in AP poll add spice to matchups
It only took the SEC office an hour or so after the Associated Press Top 25 poll was announced Sunday to send out a press release stating the league had five teams in the Top 10 for the first time in history.
Impressive as that sounds, though, league coaches weren’t eager to stake the reputation of the league on a fickle poll.
“You always play good teams, no matter where they are ranked,” Tennessee’s Phillip Fulmer said. “It just happens that five of them are in the Top 10.”
Said Mississippi State’s Sylvester Croom, “It was just as tough last year. It will probably be as tough next year.”
Still, the rankings make for some interesting conversation – like which team is facing the most daunting schedule relative to the Top 10 teams.
That honor falls to Ole Miss, which plays four of the five Top 10 teams and three of those games are on the road.
No school plays all five Top 10 teams but No. 3 Georgia, No. 7 LSU and Arkansas play four of the five along with Ole Miss.
“The schedule is ridiculous,” Florida’s Urban Meyer said of the league’s strength.
And the No. 4 Gators have the easiest path in the SEC, playing just two of the Top 10 teams – LSU at home and Georgia in Jacksonville, Fla.
al.com
9/18/08
