USC to be included in Legends Poll

The first Legends Poll from the 2010 season will be released Sunday.

USC will be considered.

Excluding the Trojans completely would be a disservice to not only the current players and coaches, but also for their opponents, who should receive proper credit for their performance against a team the caliber of USC.

Due to NCAA sanctions levied against the Trojans, the USA Today Coaches Poll–one of two human polls factoring into the BCS–will not consider USC in its rankings this season or the next.

“That not our poll’s job to consider NCAA penalties,” said former Southern Cal coach John Robinson, a Legends Poll voter. “We’re out to properly gauge the ability of the nation’s best teams.”

Ohio State great John Cooper adds, “Leaving USC out would absolutely hurt the teams they play … Notre Dame, Stanford, Oregon. They’re playing games; you have to factor them in.”

Whether or not the Legends Poll voters believe USC is a top 25 team is another story. The Trojans (2-0) opened with a 49-36 win over Hawaii and nipped Virginia, 17-14, Saturday. USC, under first-year coach Lane Kiffin, travels to Minnesota this week, before opening Pac-10 play at Washington State, Sept. 25.

“Now, USC hasn’t gotten off to the most impressive of starts,” added Robinson, “but I certainly believe they are at least in the discussion as one of the top 25 teams.”

Cooper’s not so sure, but says not considering them at all doesn’t contribute to an accurate poll.

The Associated Press Top 25 Poll, which is not a part of the BCS, has the Trojans ranked No. 16.

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