Scripps Legends Poll top 5 round-up for Week 3

The Scripps Legends Poll debuted on Monday with Oklahoma (2-0) holding the top spot. The Legends Coaches were high on the Sooners’ defense as well as the defenses from Alabama and LSU, which came in at No. 2 and No. 3.

Wisconsin surprisingly took the No. 4 spot, followed by No. 5 Boise State.

On Monday’s Scripps Legends Poll teleconference, the Legends Coaches explained why they ranked the top teams the way they did.

Moderator: Who do you have in your top 5?

John Robinson: Well, I picked LSU over Alabama. I think LSU has had two tough games, both of them basically on the road. There’s probably nothing to choose from between LSU and Alabama other than it’d be fun to watch them play. Oklahoma I think kind of just gets a free pass. They won a big game on the road.

It’s hard not to get Boise State up there (in the top 5). Toledo is supposed to be good and they just kill them.  So, you got to give Boise respect. You can’t get them up any higher (than No. 5), but you got to respect them.

But LSU and Alabama, the guys are different. They’re bigger and they’re faster and they kick the crap out of the other guys – that’s good stuff. So, that’s kind of where I’m at. Click here to see John Robinson’s Full Top 25

Moderator: John Cooper, who did you rank up top?

John Cooper: I’m like John I don’t see a lot of difference in some of those teams. I think Alabama and LSU are pretty close. Oklahoma’s secondary, you know the pass that Florida State threw for their tying touchdown there, I mean, Oklahoma’s safety, he looked awful the way he played the ball. I don’t think they’re hardly as good on defense as Alabama and LSU. I do like Oklahoma’s quarterback and they can throw it.

I like Alabama because first of all, I think they’re a great defensive team, they can run the ball, they got a great running back (in Trent Richardson). I think Nick Saban does a great job – a much better job than LSU of course in clock management and stuff like that. So, I put Alabama one, I put Oklahoma two and I put LSU three. Click here to see John Cooper’s Full Top 25

Moderator: What are your thoughts on Boise State?

Cooper: Guys, I saw Toledo play Ohio State here and I thought Toledo was okay, not great, but okay. And Boise had played with them and Boise made it look like a scrimmage. So, I got great, great respect for Boise. I put them number four.

I think Wisconsin’s the best team in the Big Ten. And Wisconsin, now guys, is pretty good. They can run it, they got two running backs, they got a huge offensive line and they got this quarterback that came in here, as you guys know, from N.C. State (Russell Wilson), that’s doing a great job throwing the football. He is really, really playing well for them. And I think Wisconsin is class of the Big Ten.

Moderator: Who do you think has the best defense of the top-ranked teams?

Fisher DeBerry: I think Alabama, Oklahoma, LSU, by far have, along with Florida State, the best defenses in the country. If we’re talking about how a defense is going to catch up with the offenses, I think it’s with personnel and you do it with scheming, but I want to tell you one thing – they are my top 3 because they’re the best teams in the country. Click here to see Fisher DeBerry’s Full Top 25

Moderator: Do you think Boise State should be ranked higher than No. 5?

Don James: I know we go back and forth every year with Boise State, and if you just look at their schedule, I mean, they’ve got eight games now that’s going to be a cakewalk. I don’t think there’s any argument against the fact that if they played Alabama four weeks from now they could compete with them because they’ve got three weeks to get ready. But it’s incredible to look at their schedule and then their quarterback’s out this week probably for Tulsa and then it’s Nevada and Fresno State and Colorado State. I’ll give Air Force a little credit, but then UNLV, I’ll give TCU credit, and then San Diego State, Wyoming, and New Mexico. And those are not great football teams. They’re not even good – some of them. Click here to see Don James’ Full Top 25

John Cooper: Don, how did you vote Boise?

James: I put them four. I don’t know how you can put them any lower than that as long as they win.

Cooper: Yeah, I agree.

Moderator: Does anybody in SEC country have anything to add?

Pat Dye: Yeah, I do. I watched Oklahoma and Florida State Saturday night. Both of them got great speed, both of them got great athletes, but I don’t think either one of them can match up with Alabama as far as just pure, physical strength along with having the athletic ability to go along with it. Now, that’s my opinion. I voted Alabama No. 1, Oklahoma No. 2, and LSU No. 3, Wisconsin No. 4 and Boise State No. 5. Click here to see Pat Dye’s Full Top 25

What would your top 5 look like? Tell us in the comments below!

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