The AP The Coaches Poll announced today that USC, on account of their sanctions, would not be eligible for the 2011 football poll. This isn't exactly news, as it is the AP's poll's policy to remove schools on post-season bans, but what is interesting about it is one particular blog's reaction to it. In linking to the announcement, Conquest Chronicles editor Paragon SC writes: "Like this poll was ever credible.... Whoop dee do!"

This is amusing, though, on account of USC's claim of a national championship for their 2003 season, despite not even being invited to play in the BCS Title game. They claim the title because they were ranked #1 in the AP at season's end. LSU fans were not amused.

So, when the AP doesn't want them, the poll isn't credible, but when it ranks them #1, it is the gospel.

Makes about as much sense as the arguments we've heard about those poor, mistreated Trojans.

(Edit: Never mind all that. Got the two polls swapped in my head somehow. This is not nearly as entertaining as I had thought it was earlier. Although it is still mildly amusing to watch USC partisans try to downplay the poll that is actually used by the BCS.)

In more recent news, when Dillon Baxter told his little white lie about Alabama, Florida, and a few other schools, Bruins Nation speculates that they might have broken yet another NCAA Bylaw. In the interests of balance, it is worth noting that the author of the estimable Bylaw Blog doesn't think that's particularly likely. The Bylaw Blog is usually spot on, but this is a Lane Kiffin squad -- it won't be the last time the NCAA hears about the USC of the West.