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New AP and Coaches' Polls out: A Look at Mississippi State's Opponents

While no one expected the Mississippi State Bulldogs to be ranked or even receiving votes in the most recent AP and Coaches' polls, it is fun to see how the Bulldogs' opponents stack up in the poll.

By justinrsutton
Spruce Derden-US PRESSWIRE

Even though Mississippi State knocked off the Kentucky Wildcats Thursday night, no one in their right mind would expect to see Mississippi State ranked or gathering votes in either the USA Today or AP Poll.  However, there are a few interesting facts to take from the two polls.

Here is a look at the new USA Today Coaches' Poll that was released this morning.

RANK TEAM RECORD POINTS FIRST PLACE VOTES PREVIOUS RANK CHANGE HI/LOW
1 Alabama
Crimson Tide 		8-0 1542 56 1 1/1
2 Oregon
Ducks 		8-0 1483 6 2 3/2
3 Florida State
Seminoles 		7-0 1419 0 3 12/3
4 Ohio State
Buckeyes 		8-0 1375 0 4 4/2
5 Baylor
Bears 		7-0 1293 0 5 22/5
6 Miami
Hurricanes 		7-0 1190 0 6 24/6
7 Stanford
Cardinal 		7-1 1182 0 8 1 13/4
8 Clemson
Tigers 		7-1 1064 0 10 2 10/4
9 Oklahoma
Sooners 		7-1 933 0 12 3 18/9
10 Missouri
Tigers 		7-1 834 0 7 3 14/7
11 Auburn
Tigers 		7-1 804 0 17 6 17/11
12 Oklahoma State
Cowboys 		6-1 803 0 13 1 20/11
13 LSU
Tigers 		7-2 802 0 13 13/6
14 Texas A&M
Aggies 		6-2 758 0 15 1 15/6
15 Texas Tech
Red Raiders 		7-1 673 0 9 6 25/9
16 South Carolina
Gamecocks 		6-2 627 0 20 4 20/6
17 Louisville
Cardinals 		7-1 579 0 16 1 17/6
18 Fresno State
Bulldogs 		7-0 542 0 18 25/18
19 UCLA
Bruins 		5-2 432 0 11 8 21/10
20 Northern Illinois
Huskies 		8-0 373 0 22 2 23/20
21 Michigan
Wolverines 		6-1 309 0 23 2 24/12
22 Central Florida
Knights 		6-1 300 0 25 3 25/22
23 Wisconsin
Badgers 		5-2 253 0 24 1 24/18
24 Michigan State
Spartans 		7-1 237 0 NR 24/24
25 Notre Dame
Fighting Irish 		6-2 83 0 NR 25/11

Several Mississippi State opponents occupy spots in this poll: No. 1 Alabama, No. 11 Auburn, No. 12 Oklahoma State, No. 13 LSU, No. 14 Texas A&M, and No. 16 South Carolina.  No. 10 Missouri is the other SEC team in the poll.

In all the Bulldog's schedule holds six teams that are ranked, and Ole Miss could play itself into the rankings.  In all, it is not out of the realm of possibility that Mississippi State will have seven of twelve (hopefully thirteen) opponents finish the season in the top 25.

Here is a look at the AP Top 25 Poll that was released this morning.

Rank Team Record Votes Previous
1 Alabama (55) 8-0 1,495 1
2 Oregon (3) 8-0 1,432 2
3 Florida State (2) 7-0 1,390 3
4 Ohio State 8-0 1,317 4
5 Baylor 7-0 1,223 6
6 Stanford 7-1 1,189 8
7 Miami (FL) 7-0 1,149 7
8 Auburn 7-1 1,022 11
9 Clemson 7-1 1,007 9
10 Missouri 7-1 873 5
11 LSU 7-2 818 13
12 Texas A&M 6-2 811 14
13 Oklahoma 7-1 791 17
14 South Carolina 6-2 701 20
15 Texas Tech 7-1 579 10
16 Fresno State 7-0 510 15
17 UCLA 5-2 489 12
18 Oklahoma State 6-1 483 19
19 UCF 6-1 464 21
20 Louisville 7-1 417 18
21 Northern Illinois 8-0 290 23
22 Wisconsin 5-2 262 22
23 Michigan 6-1 199 24
24 Michigan State 7-1 166 NR
25 Arizona State 5-2 133 NR
Others Receiving Votes: Notre Dame 132, Georgia 24, Texas 22, Brigham Young 22, Mississippi 21, Virginia Tech 20, Oregon State 17, Florida 14, Washington 6, Minnesota 4, Ball State 4, Duke 2, Arizona 2

There are a few differences in the AP and the Coaches' Poll.  Auburn jumps up to No. 8 in this poll. LSU (11), Texas A&M (12) and South Carolina (14) all hold a spot in the top 15, and each is ranked higher.  Oklahoma State checks in at No. 18 in this poll.  As anyone would expect, Alabama holds the No. 1 spot, so in this poll as well, the Bulldogs see six foes from the schedule ranked at this point.

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