College Football

BCS-altering Harris Poll makes 2013 debut, with Clemson over Ohio State

The first Harris Poll of the season is released, and we start to get a clearer view of the BCS picture. Beginning next week, this poll will count for one-third of the BCS.

By Pete Volk@Pete_Volk Oct 13, 2013, 3:59pm EDT

The first Harris Interactive College Football Poll was released Sunday, joining the AP Poll and Coaches' Poll in the in-season rankings game. Its initial Top 25 is largely similar to those two polls. Most significant difference: Clemson's ahead of Ohio State here. The Buckeyes are No. 3 in the Coaches'.

Unsurprisingly, two-time defending champion Alabama stands on top, with Oregon right behind them. Missouri starts significantly higher than their unranked beginning in the other polls -- a sensible choice considering their 6-0 record and a dominating win over Georgia.

Along with the Coaches' Poll, this is a poll that "counts" -- it is part of the BCS formula equation, and will help determine who plays in the national championship game. Both polls count as one third of the formula, with computer rankings comprising of the last third.

Via Harris release:

The Harris Poll is made up of 105 different voters, including former coaches, players, athletic directors and media members. Some of the more notable names on this year's committee are former Clemson coach Tommy Bowden, former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr, former Tulane quarterback Shaun King and former Mississippi State head coach Jackie Sherrill.