No. 2 with a bullet

It appears to be something of a consensus this preseason -- USC is No. 1 and LSU is No. 2.

LSU fans should take that in a heartbeat.

This week alone Sports Illustrated and The Sporting News have both picked USC 1 and LSU 2. The coaches' poll earlier this month had the same thing and it figures AP will follow suit.

Here's why being in the top two matters, just think back two football seasons ago.

USC was No. 1 and Texas was No. 2. Both teams were unbeaten. That kept another unbeaten, Auburn, out of the national championship game.

So it does matter where you start the season. Don't be fooled into thinking otherwise.