College football analyst Josh Pate believes the AP Poll is corrupt and rigged against smaller programs. He is frustrated that the South Carolina Gamecocks are ranked No. 11 while the Vanderbilt Commodores are unranked, despite both teams being undefeated and Vanderbilt showing a better performance.
Why Does Josh Pate Call the AP Poll Corrupt?
In a video posted to X, Pate called Vanderbilt’s exclusion from the AP Poll “a crime against the sport.” The popular analyst is furious about what he sees as obvious bias.
The AP Poll is supposed to rank the top 25 teams playing the best football, but this week’s rankings tell a different story. The Gamecocks sit at No. 11, while Vanderbilt did not receive a single vote, even though both SEC teams are 2-0.
That discrepancy is what has Pate so fired up. Both teams are undefeated, and both beat Virginia Tech. However, voters ranked the team that struggled while ignoring the one that dominated.
“Vandy went to Blacksburg, Virginia, yesterday and outgained Virginia Tech by three hundo [300] in the second half,” Pate said in his video. “That’s the same Virginia Tech that South Carolina needed special teams fireworks to beat.”
As future CFB Commissioner I have to expose corruption…the AP Poll having Vanderbilt unranked is a crime against the sport pic.twitter.com/EJWO5sySuc
— Josh Pate (@JoshPateCFB) September 8, 2025
The numbers tell the whole story. The Commodores trailed 20-10 at halftime, then destroyed the Virginia Tech Hokies 34-0 in the second half for a 44-20 win. The Hokies managed just 21 total yards after halftime. Meanwhile, the Gamecocks needed an 80-yard punt return touchdown and a 64-yard bomb to beat the Hokies 24-11 on a neutral field.
“If I were to dress Vanderbilt’s resume up in Alabama clothes, Vanderbilt would be a top five team,” Pate said. “But they’re not Vanderbilt because this entire process is corrupt.”
Pate’s point is simple: if a powerhouse program like Alabama had Vanderbilt’s exact same wins and performances, voters would rank them in the top five. But because it’s Vanderbilt, a school without a big name and tradition, they get ignored despite playing better football than higher-ranked teams.
How Are Fans Reacting to Pate’s Claims?
Pate’s corruption claims resonated with college football fans, who see the same problems. Social media responses showed that many people are fed up with how the rankings work.
One user said, “I couldn’t agree more. Michigan being ranked is blasphemy. Texas should be no where near the top 10. South Carolina and Clemson have both looked terrible.”
I couldn’t agree more. Michigan being ranked is blasphemy. Texas should be no where near the top 10. South Carolina and Clemson have both looked terrible.
We need a new form of ranking.
— CFBONLY (@COLLEGEFBONLY) September 8, 2025
Another user commented, “Football is so fun when Vandy is ranked.”
Football is so fun when Vandy is ranked
— смех (@0x6D6172636F) September 8, 2025
Echoing Pate’s main point, a third user said, “It’s a brand and popularity contest.”
It’s a brand and popularity contest.
— Ross Hutchinson (@RossHutchi64736) September 8, 2025
One fan even admitted, “Vandy may beat my gamecocks this weekend,” acknowledging that Vanderbilt could win despite being unranked against the No. 11 Gamecocks. Another user added, “South Carolina too high and Vandy too low based on common opponent.”
The anger is not just about one week of rankings. Pate consistently calls out what he sees as a systematic problem where poll voters fail to watch the games and instead vote based on team names and reputations.
Vanderbilt’s game against No. 11 South Carolina this weekend will be a chance to prove whether Pate’s argument holds up on the field.
