Football Rankings

[JasonEvans]

So, we are used to Duke getting top 25 votes in the pre-season, when Steve Spurrier annually throws a Top 25 vote our way.

But, getting votes 8 games into the season, well, it has been a while since we saw that at Duke (I think).

In the newly released USA Today Coaches Poll (http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/polls?poll=3&week=10), Duke gets 8 top 25 votes, enough for 33rd place in the poll.

We don't fare quite as well in the AP Poll (http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/polls?poll=1), getting 2 votes which puts us in 37th place.

Finally, in the less well-known Harris Interactive Poll (http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/polls?poll=5) we get 5 votes for 38th place.

-Jason "here's to continuing to move on up in the polls!" Evans

[OldPhiKap]

So, we are used to Duke getting top 25 votes in the pre-season, when Steve Spurrier annually throws a Top 25 vote our way.

But, getting votes 8 games into the season, well, it has been a while since we saw that at Duke (I think).

In the newly released USA Today Coaches Poll (http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/polls?poll=3&week=10), Duke gets 8 top 25 votes, enough for 33rd place in the poll.

We don't fare quite as well in the AP Poll (http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/polls?poll=1), getting 2 votes which puts us in 37th place.

Finally, in the less well-known Harris Interactive Poll (http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/polls?poll=5) we get 5 votes for 38th place.

-Jason "here's to continuing to move on up in the polls!" Evans

Always nice that someone sees our progress, and hope it elevates our story with bowl selection folks.

I seem to recall getting to somewhere between 17 and 25 for a week under Goldsmith ('93) but losing and dropping out quickly. Memory may be faulty though.

With a bye week, then a chance to move to 7-2 thereafter, we may move towards the cusp of the Top 25. Then host Miami . . . .

[sagegrouse]

Always nice that someone sees our progress, and hope it elevates our story with bowl selection folks.

I seem to recall getting to somewhere between 17 and 25 for a week under Goldsmith ('93) but losing and dropping out quickly. Memory may be faulty though.

With a bye week, then a chance to move to 7-2 thereafter, we may move towards the cusp of the Top 25. Then host Miami . . . .

We reached #16 in 1994 when we were 7-0 under Goldsmith. The team remained in the top 25 for the rest of the year.

Duke ranked in consecutive weeks: 25, 20, 16, 23, 19, 25.

sagegrouse

[wilson]

Spurrier stopped voting for Duke in the preseason poll several years ago.
We received some votes after the carolina game last year:
http://espn.go.com/college-football/rankings/_/poll/2/year/2012/week/9

[throatybeard]

when Steve Spurrier annually throws a Top 25 vote our way

It may be urban legend, but didn't they tell him to stop doing that?

[SCMatt33]

It may be urban legend, but didn't they tell him to stop doing that?

I seem to remember him receiving some negative press about it. I think there was talk about how much the coaches poll was becoming a joke and that no one took it seriously, with Spurrier's vote for Duke as an example of that. I can't remember what really started it, but I do remember it eventually got as far as ESPN talking heads with Kornheiser and Wilbon discussing it. After that, he stopped giving us the votes. I don't think there was anything official telling him to stop to my recollection.

[throatybeard]

I seem to remember him receiving some negative press about it. I think there was talk about how much the coaches poll was becoming a joke and that no one took it seriously, with Spurrier's vote for Duke as an example of that. I can't remember what really started it, but I do remember it eventually got as far as ESPN talking heads with Kornheiser and Wilbon discussing it. After that, he stopped giving us the votes. I don't think there was anything official telling him to stop to my recollection.

I see.

I've regarded the Coaches' poll as a farce ever since it replaced the UPI. Visor Boy is not really an important part of the equation to me.

[OldPhiKap]

I seem to remember him receiving some negative press about it. I think there was talk about how much the coaches poll was becoming a joke and that no one took it seriously, with Spurrier's vote for Duke as an example of that. I can't remember what really started it, but I do remember it eventually got as far as ESPN talking heads with Kornheiser and Wilbon discussing it. After that, he stopped giving us the votes. I don't think there was anything official telling him to stop to my recollection.

Correct. Steve gave us a vote pre-season until we lost (usually the first game). Someone in the press started complaining and he stopped.

[jimsumner]

I see.

I've regarded the Coaches' poll as a farce ever since it replaced the UPI. Visor Boy is not really an important part of the equation to me.

The UPI Poll was the coaches poll. It's the same poll, just under different auspices.

AP is the media poll.

[tommy]

So, we are used to Duke getting top 25 votes in the pre-season, when Steve Spurrier annually throws a Top 25 vote our way.

But, getting votes 8 games into the season, well, it has been a while since we saw that at Duke (I think).

In the newly released USA Today Coaches Poll (http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/polls?poll=3&week=10), Duke gets 8 top 25 votes, enough for 33rd place in the poll.


-Jason "here's to continuing to move on up in the polls!" Evans

Ahead of both Nebraska and Florida, both huge, big conference, traditional powers with relatively recent national championships and other BCS bowl games on their resumes. Wow.

[El_Diablo]

So, we are used to Duke getting top 25 votes in the pre-season, when Steve Spurrier annually throws a Top 25 vote our way.

But, getting votes 8 games into the season, well, it has been a while since we saw that at Duke (I think).

We came pretty close in 2012, receiving 3 AP Poll votes and 10 Coaches Poll votes in Week 7.

[SmartDevil]

I seem to recall Spurrier became irritated with something he perceived Duke had done....perhaps in his mind related to him or his legacy....and that's when the votes for Duke stopped. Alas, I can't remember the issue.

[El_Diablo]

We came pretty close in 2012, receiving 3 AP Poll votes and 10 Coaches Poll votes in Week 7.

Oops--as Wilson points out above, we also received some votes in Week 9 in 2012.


I seem to recall Spurrier became irritated with something he perceived Duke had done....perhaps in his mind related to him or his legacy....and that's when the votes for Duke stopped. Alas, I can't remember the issue.

As for Spurrier's decision to stop voting for Duke as a thank you, there was nothing Duke did that irritated him. He was asked to stop doing it:


Said Jim Welch, USA TODAY deputy managing editor for sports: "It's clear that what once might have seemed quaint has begun to lose its charm. We're hopeful that before next season the coaches association can prevail upon Coach Spurrier to find another way to salute his former team — or that Duke gets better in a hurry."

Grant Teaff, executive director of the American Football Coaches Association, whose members vote in the poll, said Thursday that he plans to discuss the vote with Spurrier.

http://www.dukechronicle.com/blogs/bluezone/posts/2012/08/03/five-years-ago-duke-last-received-vote-coaches-poll


As Spurrier explained: "The reason I didn't put Duke down there at No. 25 is because the President of the American Football Coaches Association, Grant Teaff, asked me not to do that. He said for the validity and integrity of the poll, I shouldn't do that. And, uh, so I said, 'OK, I won't do it this year.'"

"Grant Teaff is a man I admire and respect--good guy--and he asked me not to do it. So the Dukies didn't get a vote this year, but I'll be pullin' for the Dukies. Put that in the paper. I'm pullin' for 'em every game. See ya. Bye."

http://www.dukechronicle.com/articles/2008/08/26/message-ol-ball-coach

[loran16]

I seem to remember him receiving some negative press about it. I think there was talk about how much the coaches poll was becoming a joke and that no one took it seriously, with Spurrier's vote for Duke as an example of that. I can't remember what really started it, but I do remember it eventually got as far as ESPN talking heads with Kornheiser and Wilbon discussing it. After that, he stopped giving us the votes. I don't think there was anything official telling him to stop to my recollection.

That's what happened as far as what was reported. Course, the possibility he's one of the voters for us now (and last year) seems very high.

[rsvman]

That's what happened as far as what was reported. Course, the possibility he's one of the voters for us now (and last year) seems very high.

Yes, but the beauty is that in THIS situation, nobody could hold his feet to the fire for doing so!:cool:

[loran16]

Yes, but the beauty is that in THIS situation, nobody could hold his feet to the fire for doing so!:cool:

hehe.

I remember when Duke got to 5-3 in Cut's second year, Duke got 3 coaches poll points (http://espn.go.com/college-football/rankings/_/poll/2/year/2009/week/10), although Spurrier denied voting for us, but Phil Fulmer (then coach of Tennessee) acknowledged being the culprit.

[CameronBornAndBred]

Duke has gotten votes in the top 25 at least twice more (last year included) while under Cut's tutelage. It has been a bit of a curse, since as soon as we have gotten those votes, we've dropped the following game(s). This is a perfect week to enjoy a bye and get ready to face State, and finally break that streak. :D