Whether you agree or disagree with the latest College Football Playoff poll, it doesn't matter.
It is what it is, it is cloaked in secrecy, and only the final vote will be published.
Keep in mind that all polls are subjective because they are voted on by humans, and don't make a case for computers because during the BCS days a variety of computers were used, and none of the data ever matched up very well. Humans were inputting the information.
However, for the sake of transparency, it would seem the NCAA would release the vote of everyone privileged to be on the panel. It is a privilege, but it's also a pain in the behind trying to keep up with 35 to 40 teams, although the CFP panel members are privileged to have a lot of information -- on computers, of course -- at their fingertips.
They also get a copy of every game without commercials, injury timeouts, reviews, etc.
Voters are investing a lot of time and energy, but it seems their ballots shouldn't be like the combination to Fort Knox -- a deep, dark secret.
It certainly would mean total accountability.
The Associated Press poll -- and the AP does still award its own champion, so there could someday be a split championship again -- still gets lots of attention.
Several emails were received after the latest AP and coaches polls were released because Arkansas, which dominated and spanked Florida, was nowhere to be found among the top 25, but the Gators still were ranked No. 22 in the AP poll and No. 16 in the coaches poll.
It obviously wouldn't have been quite the bitter pill to swallow for Razorbacks fans if their team had just made the top 25, even if it was behind the Gators.
However, Arkansas was No. 25 in this week's CFP poll, which was released Tuesday night.
Of course, no poll is perfect, but the polls create interest and give people something to cuss and discuss.
What's also apparent is the polls are proving the playoffs should be expanded to eight teams.
If the season ended right now, Louisville and Ohio State would be left out, but a Buckeyes victory over Michigan would mean the Wolverines could be out.
How much more fun would the playoffs be if undefeated Western Michigan made the field? But that's not going to happen unless there are eight teams.
Saying the kids would miss too much school by adding another game is a joke. The first round of the playoffs could be on the weekend before Christmas, which means the semester exams are finished and classes and missed study time would not be problem.
It will happen -- too much money to ignore it forever -- but only when ESPN says to make it happen.
Back to the polls and how they are not perfect.
The Football Writers Association of America and the National Football Foundation have their own Super 16 poll, and when it is released each Sunday morning, the list of voters and how they voted is released as well.
Last Sunday, there was some real concern -- enough so that the people running the poll listed the names of eight of their voters and beside them the name of a school they had included in their poll in case any reporters wanted to ask them why.
One voter had included Dartmouth of the Ivy League in his poll. The Ivy League is not a part of the bowl system, plus Dartmouth is 4-4 on the season.
Another had his alma mater among his Super 16: The Texas Longhorns probably will get bowl eligibility.
Those voters were wrong to be so lackadaisical, but the FWAA and NFF did the right thing in calling them out, and all polls always will be subjective.
Sports on 11/09/2016