Formerly fifth-ranked Michigan was ranked way too high prior to Saturday's loss to Appalachian State, but rather than asking the obvious, "What were we thinking?", the AP is going to open its national ranking system to teams like Elon, Wofford, Gardner-Webb, and of course Appalachian State.
No one with even casual knowledge of college football will deny that what Appy State did last Saturday constitutes one of the biggest upsets in college football history. It set a new standard. For decades to come, football writers will not be able to write of a big upset without calling it "the biggest upset since Appalachian State beat Michigan back in 2007." Michigan was so heavily favored that the odds makers were not even giving a line.
The fact that Mountaineers over Michigan is a standard-defining upset should make the irony of ranking the Mountaineers obvious. When a 25th ranked team beats a 5th ranked team, it's noteworthy, but not historic. It happens. Sports writers can't have it both ways. Either Appy State's victory is one for the ages or something that might happen once in a while, and merits recognition with a ranking. It can't be both.
AP: Lower-division schools eligible thanks to Mountaineers
ESPN.com
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