SB Nation released its first weekly BlogPoll of the 2012 season, and USC and Alabama are neck and neck for the top spot separated by a mere .13 points per blog.
The top three spots in the poll are awfully crowded, with USC, Alabama and LSU separated by just .44 points per blog. The Tigers had claimed the No. 1 spot in the summer BlogPoll, but it's likely that the loss of cornerback Tyrann Matthieu dropped the Tigers two spots to No. 3.
Stanford landed at No. 21, receiving 6.10 points per blog, down two spots from their No. 19 ranking in the summer BlogPoll. Pac-12 rival Oregon claimed the No. 4 spot with 21.63 points per blog and a single first place vote.
The Cardinal will open the 2012 season on Saturday at home against San Jose State.
Results for Week 19
SB Nation BlogPoll College Football Rankings 2011
For more on Stanford Cardinal football, check out Rule Of Tree.