Texas, Penn State keep AP Poll favoritism while undefeated team gets disrespected

Climbing the college football ladder is a complicated and infuriating task for teams excluded from the “blue bloods” club of the sport. Programs like Alabama, Georgia, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and the like have historically received the benefit of the doubt from voters – they’ve won before, they’ll likely win again – and that often comes at that expense of the underdogs.

Take Texas Tech, for example. Standing in the 11th slot in the most recent edition of the AP Poll Top 25 rankings, the Red Raiders began the season ranked 23rd, with one hand on the cliff’s edge and eyes determined not to acknowledge the chasm that sits beyond the 25th and final spot on the list. Scaling the AP Poll would be a challenge for a team that has historically failed to compete with the biggest names in the sport, but that was the task assigned.

Still, with the second-best transfer class in the nation, this team’s red-hot start should come as a surprise to no one paying attention. Texas Tech stands undefeated – a perfect 4-0 mark – with a resume of top 10 quality. Despite this, several one-loss teams stand between the Red Raiders and a seat at the big boy table, and fans are completely baffled.

One quick glance at the comment section of On3’s ranking reveal post will be enough to convince that injustice has been observed by fans.

“Texas Tech and Iowa State deserve to be ranked in the Top 10 more than Penn State, Texas, and Alabama right now.” One user declared.

“I mean, at LEAST put Texas Tech above 1-loss teams.” Another pleaded with AP voters.

The Red Raiders’ conference affiliation seem to be weighing down public perception of the team’s strength. While Big 10 and SEC schools like Texas, Penn State, and Alabama have crept ahead of Tech, other Big 12 and ACC unbeatens – namely Georgia Tech, Iowa State, BYU – have numerous skeptics.

What does the AP Poll know that hasn’t been proved on the field?

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