FWAA > News > Grantland Rice Super 16 Poll

DALLAS (FWAA) – The Southern California Trojans remain the top-ranked team in the Grantland Rice Super 16 Poll. USC (11-0), the defending Football Writers Association of America national champs, garnered 11 No. 1 votes after running away from Notre Dame, 41-10.

Auburn (11-0) picked up an additional first-place vote and remained at No. 2 as it prepared for the SEC championship game vs. Tennessee. Oklahoma (11-0), the third-ranked team in the Super 16 by a mere five poll points, will play Colorado for the Big 12 title and a BCS berth this week.

California (9-1) and Utah (11-0) maintained their rankings, as did Texas (10-1), Louisville (9-1) and Miami (8-2). Boise State (11-0), the only other unbeaten team, moved up a notch to No. 9 and Michigan (9-2) rounded out the Top 10.

The Grantland Rice Super 16 Poll, introduced prior to the 2002 season, ranks the nation's top 16 Division I-A football teams. A regionally-balanced group of 16 selectors votes in the poll. The pollsters also select the FedEx Orange Bowl National Team of the Week, which is also announced each Monday during the regular season.

In addition, the 16 voters representing four regions, cast a ballot each week and give a brief synopsis of their ballot. Unlike other college football polls, the FWAA makes each of its pollster's ballot public, along with the weekly synopsis.

Among eight conferences represented in the Super 16, the SEC features four teams among the Top 16, while the Big Ten has three.

FWAA GRANTLAND RICE SUPER 16 POLL (NOV. 29, 2004)
Rk.	School [1st]	Conf.	W-L	Pts	Pvs	This Week (Dec. 4)
1.	USC [11]	Pac-10	11-0	251	1	at UCLA
2.	Auburn [4]	SEC	11-0	237	2	vs. No. 15 Tennessee
3.	Oklahoma [1]	Big 12	11-0	232	3	vs. Colorado
4.	California	Pac-10	9-1	196	4	at Southern Miss
5.	Utah	MWC	11-0	193	5	Reg. season complete
6.	Texas	Big 12	10-1	183	6	Reg. season complete
7.	Louisville	C-USA	9-1	137	7	at Tulane
8.	Miami	ACC	8-2	130	8	vs. No. 11 Virginia Tech
9.	Boise State	WAC	11-0	114	10	Reg. season complete
10.	Georgia	SEC	9-2	107	9	Reg. season complete
11.	Virginia Tech	ACC	9-2	100	12	at No. 8 Miami
12.	Iowa	Big Ten	9-2	73	13	Reg. season complete
13.	Michigan	Big Ten	9-2	72	11	Reg. season complete
14.	LSU	SEC	9-2	65	15	Reg. season complete
15.	Tennessee	SEC	9-2	51	14	vs. No. 2 Auburn
16.	Wisconsin	Big Ten	9-2	13	-	Reg. season complete
FedEx Orange Bowl National Team of the Week: Syracuse.
First-place votes: USC 11 (Blaudschun, Davis, Dodd, Henson, Higgins, Meisler, Miller, Moran, Richards, Robbins, Shain); Auburn 4 (Coyle, Fiutak, Griffith, Mandel); Oklahoma 1 (Burchette).
Also receiving votes: Florida State 11, Florida 3, Ohio State 3, Texas A&M 3, Arizona State 1, Pittsburgh 1.
Dropped out: Arizona State (16).
By conference: SEC 4, Big Ten 3, ACC 2, Big 12 2, Pac-10 2, Conference USA 1, Mountain West 1, WAC 1.

The FWAA has presented the Grantland Rice Trophy, named in honor of the legendary sportswriter, to college football's national champion each year since 1954. This is the third season that a season-long poll will be concurrent with the award.