Four notes: Julian Vandervelde and Barenaked Ladies

It's Wednesday morning and I have sports writer's block, so here are a few random thoughts and then we can both be on our merry way:

1. I voted in the Associated Press football Top 25 rankings

for a few years. Then my company stopped using AP stories and photos, so I had to step down.

The rankings, I came to learn, were a bit of a joke in September. People voted as much for reputation as for performance or quality of wins.

But it's hard for me to dispute AP's Top 4 this week. Ohio State (at Virginia Tech), Alabama (vs. Wisconsin), TCU (at Minnesota) and Michigan State (Oregon) have all beaten someone.

Why Baylor and USC are fifth and sixth when they have defeated no one of significance escapes me. How is LSU 13th when it won at Mississippi State? How is Oklahoma only 16th after winning at Tennessee?

And how in the world is BYU only 19th when it not only won at Nebraska, but followed that with a home victory over Boise State?

It's stupid bias. BYU was unranked before the season began, so the voters just can't shove the Cougars into the Top 6 or 8 after two weeks. But who has a better pair of wins? Nobody.

2. Iowa is asking its fans to coordinate the colors

of their shirts to go all stripy Saturday night at the Pittsburgh-Iowa game.

The first home game was all gold. The November home game against Minnesota will be all black.

People always happily go along with the school's requests because they like the looks, and anything that's fun for thousands of people in one setting is a good thing.

But I can't help thinking of this song by Barenaked Ladies.

3. Former Iowa offensive lineman Julian Vandervelde was re-signed by the Philadelphia Eagles today.

He was released by the Eagles 11 days ago. He had made plans to compete in the Celtic Festival and Highland Games this weekend in his Davenport home.

He drove home from Philadelphia last week. The NFL is a wacky racket.

All the best to Julian in Philly. The world needs more spirits like his.

4. On betting site Bovada, Iowa was

500-to-1 to win the national championship when the season began.

Now, the Hawkeyes are 300-1.

The old saying is so true. He who hesitates is lunch.