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Quarterback Brady Quinn and his Notre Dame teammates are overrated, writes Sporting News columnist Tom Dienhart.

COMMENTARY

By Tom Dienhart

updated 4:54 p.m. ET Aug. 20, 2006

Tom Dienhart

The offense is boffo and the defense will be better than you think (the Buckeyes aren't going to count on a bunch of freshmen). My biggest concern is the new kicker. This is a program that in recent years has made winning close games an art form. To continue, the Buckeyes will need a few big field goals this fall. Oh, you can count on it.

But I have issues with other aspects of the season's first poll:

Team that's ranked too high: No. 2 Notre Dame. I know, I know: The Fighting Irish are Sporting News' No. 1 team. But ND isn't MY No. 1 team. No flipping way. I am but one man with one vote at this corporate giant — and my vote was for Ohio State. While I love the Irish offense, I'm concerned about the linebackers and secondary. And am I the only guy who realizes this team needs a new kicker and punter? You would be fretting, too, if you took off that Lou Holtz paper mask. I think Texas, Auburn and West Virginia deserve to be ranked ahead of the Irish. And I'm not so sure LSU, USC and Cal also aren't better than Notre Dame. Go ahead and start complaining.

Team that's ranked too low: No. 18 Clemson. What's not to like about the Tigers? Sure, Will Proctor is a question at quarterback, but the guy is a senior who knows the system and is supported by a great line, fine receiving corps and stellar collection of running backs. The biggest question is the secondary. But I think a strong line led by Gaines Adams will get enough pressure to take pressure off the new corners. The hard fact: Clemson is a top 10 team.

Why is this team ranked? No. 24 Arizona State. Look, I love Dirk Koetter, but his Sun Devils aren't Top 25 fodder yet. I have faith ASU will score, but the quarterback situation is ripe for controversy. And is there a defense? That's a familiar question, right, Sparky?

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Why isn't this team ranked? Iowa State. I thought Bret Meyer was the Big 12's best quarterback BEFORE Rhett Bomar got booted from Oklahoma. The rest of the Cyclone offense is loaded with veteran talent. The key is the defense. But when was the last time Iowa State had a great defense? Exactly. Dan McCarney has shown in recent years he can cobble together a defense that's just good enough. It'll happen again. This team should be ranked somewhere between 20-25. Three measly votes? Sheesh.

Why on God's green earth did this team get any votes? Ole Miss. Look, I love what Ed Orgeron is doing, but this team is FAR from ready for prime time Top 25 notice. Both lines are works in progress, which in and of itself is reason enough for me to discount the Rebs. How about a little love for UCLA? And my friend Pat Hill has to be miffed his Fresno State Bulldogs didn't get a sniff.

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