The final AP and USA Today Coaches' Polls are out and, among the expected teams in the rankings, two local schools garnered some attention. In both polls, Auburn is, predictably, ranked No. 1, followed by TCU and Oregon. Look closely at the others receiving votes category, though. In the Coaches' Poll, the Washington Huskies received a vote after their upset win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers. In the AP Poll, the Eastern Washington Eagles -- from lower division FCS -- received a vote. Hilarity!
Eastern finished the season ranked No. 1 in the FCS polls after a thrilling, comeback win over Delaware in the FCS Championship. The Eagles finished the regular season ranked No. 1 in the poll before surviving the playoffs and bringing a title home to Spokane. Their body of work impressed on AP voter, apparently, earning them a single No. 25 ranking on a ballot.
Washington, on the other hand, never sniffed the polls during the back-half of the season. At 7-6, the Huskies record is far from impressive, yet they still ended up with a single No. 25 ranking in the Coaches Poll. Guess a win over Nebraska in a bowl game goes a long way.
Two Washington schools, both receiving a vote in one of the final polls for different reasons. Whatever the reason, it's a cool little tidbit for college football fans in the state.