My final decision of the season: A picture of QB AJ McCarron’s girlfriend, Katherine Webb, over coach Nick Saban holding the national championship trophy. Photo by Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Below is my ballot for the final AP poll. Have at it.
I dropped Notre Dame from first to fourth after the Irish’s face plant in the BCS national championship game against Alabama.
It felt like the Irish should have tumbled more after the 42-14 loss — below Georgia, which took the Tide to the final seconds? — but they still have an impressive body of work, even if they won ugly plenty of times.
Oregon was No. 2 in the final poll … and on my ballot. Why the 12-1 Ducks over undefeated-but-ineligible-for-the-postseason Ohio State? I justify it by saying that Oregon lost to a better team (Stanford) than Ohio State ever defeated. Makes sense to me.
I love the top nine teams in the rankings, and would hate to see one miss out on a mythical eight-team playoff (someday).
Then there is another tier of four or so teams, a couple more nice teams after that and then, eh.
I was ready to quit at about No. 20 rather than try to decide among flawed squads for the final ballot spots. Tho choices were between those teams with gaudy records lacking quality wins or those with middlin’ marks and a high strength of schedule.
Anyway, here is my ballot:
1. Alabama
2. Oregon
3. Ohio State
4. Notre Dame
5. Georgia
6. Stanford
7. Texas A&M
8. Florida
9. South Carolina
10. Kansas State
11. Florida State
12. Clemson
13. LSU
14. Oklahoma
15. Louisville
16. Michigan
17. Utah State
18. Texas
19. Baylor
20. Oregon State
21. Northwestern
22. Boise State
23. UCLA
24. Northern Illinois
25. Nebraska