A number of pundits said that after LSU pounded Miami in a bowl game in January.
But today is their highest ranking of the season, after two losses.
I know, but I wasn't one of them.
Add to that, Notre Dame and Ohio State will be breaking in new quarterbacks (both were top 5), Texas looks to be heading into a minor rebuilding phase and while USC will be there, the only other team I'd have ahead of LSU to begin next year would be possibly Michigan, depending on the bowl game.
I think USC and Florida will be 1 and 2, respectively in next year's starting poll.