Now that the NCAA football season is over, it’s time to take a final look at the AP “top 25” teams in the country. “Top 25” is in quotes because one must remember that this poll is a popularity contest and nothing more. Forget preseason rankings, and even rankings up to this point. We’ll examine each top team individually to see if their ranking is justified.
It was a golden age for Atlanta: 14 consecutive division titles, 5 National League pennants, 1 World Series victory. From the improbable turnaround from obscurity in 1991 to the final playoff meltdown in the 2005 Division Series, the Braves were royalty in the baseball realm and were consequently perpetual targets, adding even more mystique to one of the most impressive runs in the history of sports.
For the last 13 seasons there has been but one constant: that the Atlanta Braves will win their division. There has been one other near-constant: that the Atlanta Braves will lose in the playoffs.
Although the MLB season is not over and in fact has some of its most exciting games sure to come in September and October, it is never too early to debate the best of this season.