BTW, the PTB finally made up their mind regarding this week's game with LSU -- it's gonna be in Tempe, and I've got season tickets on the 40-yard line. GO DEVILS!
LSU has the talent to go head to head with anyone in the country, including USC. How all this will affect them is anybody's guess. They could come out flat, or they could come out on a mission.
Although a lot of LSU fans were disappointed that the game was moved--most of the emergency operations based on the LSU campus will be winding up this week--it was at least arguable that it was the right decision. Rumor has it, however, that our SEC brethren are going to use the same ploy to try to avoid playing in Baton Rouge this year. I wouldn't put it past them, particularly that slimy SOB from Tennessee, Philip Fulmer.
OK, I'll defend it (I did the computer analysis). The initial rankings are based on performance of a team over the prior 4 years (why 4? why not.). That just means that ASU gets a lower starting place than programs that have been more consistent. After the 4th week of games, the initial preseason numbers are no longer counted and only the current season counts.
The alternative would be to not use a preseason formula and instead just use this season's numbers. In which case, after week 1, Missouri, Minnesota and USC would be tied for number 1 - which is a more ridiculous proposition than ASU at 44 (after beating Temple this weekend).
Things start making more sense after about a month. Last year, ASU finished at 14 in my computer ranking system (could have been 8 if not for blowing that game to Arizona).