Negro Coach and QB Poll: Expanded

We have been on a European sabbatical, priming the alabaster enclaves of Northern Europe for eventual take over by the soon to be new Leader of the Free World (using the term 'free' in the most loose fitting manner possible).

Our return coincides with two completed weeks of college football. Which, in turn, requires the first edition of our vaunted Negro Coach and QB Poll (NCQB). Certainly, those who followed the rankings last year saw us spot on with LSU riding the top of the wave for most of the season.

In an effort to be more inclusive and more diverse, we have decided that it is in the best interest of everyone to expand the teams eligible for the rankings.

In that light, we will now include the full constituency of our soon to be President (Halfrican-American Barry Obama).

The poll will still be called the Negro Coach and QB Poll, in honor of all those who fought so valiantly for the right to be included in our rankings last season. Only this time, all NCCA D1 teams will be eligible to receive votes.

All teams, that is, that have either a Negro Coach or QB, Latino coach or QB or a non-white coach or QB.

Change you can believe in!


10 Ball State -The Ballers are 2-0 with convincing wins over Northeastern and Navy. Tremendously gifted QB, Nate Davis, has completed 80% of his passes for 7 TDs and is averaging over 300 yards per game. If the Cardinals can get past Akron in their next game, that will set up a showdown with #9 Indiana in two weekends.

9 Indiana - The Hoosiers are sitting pretty at the top of the Big Ten with blowouts over Murray State and Western Kentucky. Dual threat QB Kellen Lewis has thrown for 2 TDs and rushed for 2 TDs. He is also averaging over 18 yards per rush. Tim who? Next up for IU will be the chance to be fully vetted in a showdown with #10 Ball State...and then on to the Big Ten schedule!

8 Arizona - Willie Tuitama has completed 77% of his passes for almost 500 yards and 0 interceptions. A 70-0 victory of Idaho proves that these Wildcats are back in full force! Next up, a border state showdown with New Mexico.

7 Georgia Tech - QB Josh Nesbitt has rushed for 3 TDs and his leadership has lead to an undefeated start and sole possession of first in the ACC's hotly contested Coastal Division. Up next is a vulnerable looking Virginia Tech.

6 West Virginia - After a sharp performance against always stout Villanova, WVU ran into possibly the best defensive squad in the country. And came out the worse for the wear. Despite the loss, Pat White has completed 70% of his passes for 5 TDs. He is also averaging 80 yards rushing per game. We believe the 'Eers are better than they showed against a supremely motivated and confident ECU squad, and will give them the chance to prove it against Colorado before we significantly drop them in the rankings.

5 Illinois - Another one loss squad in the top 10. But, the barn burner against Missouri could have gone either way and this early in the season should not weigh heavily against Juice Williams and his Illini. Williams has thrown for 6 TDs and has a lofty 152.4 QB rating. Add to that over 90 rushing yards per game and 2 rushing TDs....and you have to ask yourself: Why is anyone paying attention to Tim Tebow?

4 Oregon - Projected started Nate Costa is out for the season. But, in the newer, inclusiver NCQB Poll, that still qualifies the Ducks to be ranked. Wins over Washington and Utah State have eased the learning curve for the QB who is replacing all time great Dennis Dixon. We will learn more about the Ducks in the next two weeks in games against Purdue and Boise State.

3 East Carolina - Patrick Pinkney has completed 80% of his passes and accumulated an ultra-impressive 167 QB rating after two huge victories. Non-conference games against ACC regional powers NC State and Virginia are still to come. Victories in those tilts coupled with a manageable C-USA schedule could set the Pirates up for some BCS action.

2 Oklahoma - Sam Bradford continues to lead one of the most potent attacks in the Nation. The Sooners have the defense to be in this thing to the end. With the Texas game being at a neutral site, the Sooners get all the rest of their big games at home.

1 USC - The Trojans seem fully re-loaded with Mark Sanchez at QB. With a 178 QB rating, Sanchez seems primed to continue the USC QB tradition. The prizefight with Ohio State this weekend will certainly be a test, but if the Trojans can get through, the rest of the schedule is manageable.