Q & A with two AP voters

College football's weekly AP Top 25 poll is comprised by 65 media members from all over the nation. ECU checked in at No. 14 this week, marking the first time the Pirates have been ranked since 1999. The highest ECU has ever been ranked was in 1991, when it finished the season ninth in the nation. The East Carolinian caught up with two of the AP voters this week. Kirk Bohls, from Austin, Texas, voted ECU No. 2 in the nation, which was the highest of any voter. Joe Giglio, from Raleigh, N.C., voted ECU No. 14. You can go to pollspeak.com to see each of the 65 ballots on a week-to-week basis.

Kirk Bohls Austin American Statesman Austin, Texas

Q: Why did you vote ECU No. 2 in the nation? A: Well, who has done more than ECU? I don't think any school out of 119 Division I schools had a more impressive start to the season. For ECU to beat two nationally ranked teams from BCS conferences and one of those on the road just shouts out, 'Hey, look at us.' If Texas had beaten West Virginia and Virginia Tech, they would be beating their chests and saying, 'Why aren't we No. 1? I really don't understand how some voters penalize ECU in not ranking them higher just because they are not a traditional powerhouse. To me, that runs contrary to what our instructions are from New York every year…I think Skip Holtz is off to such a great start. I even considered voting them No. 1…This is what we're supposed to do. We're supposed to-not predict-but reward teams for results.

Q: If USC loses to Ohio State and ECU wins… A: If ECU blows out Tulane, who gave Alabama a tough time and USC were to lose, we'll have to consider ECU. If I did vote ECU No. 1, I bet you I'd probably be the only person in the country. I think everybody else would give it to Ohio State.

Q: What do you think ECU's national perception is? A: ECU is getting more attention this week. Chris Johnson had such a great debut with the Tennessee Titans. I wish I had him on my fantasy team. The more players you put in the NFL and the more big wins you put by your resume, I think people are going start giving ECU the attention it deserves.

Q: Does ECU have a shot a BCS bowl? A: I think [ECU] has every reason to hope they can get to a BCS bowl. You look at the teams that have, teams like Hawaii, Utah and Boise State-I don't think any of them have the defense like the Pirates do. I think the danger ECU is going to find is keeping that intensity week-to-week, not getting ahead of itself, not thinking, 'Okay, we can be in a BCS bowl.' I think that's the biggest concern Skip [Holtz] has. Now [ECU] has everybody's attention. ECU isn't going to sneak up on anybody.

Joe Giglio The News and Observer Raleigh, N.C.

Q: What's your criteria for voting?

A: In general, I look to see who teams have beaten. Quality wins is what I mostly look for. In ECU's case, I actually saw them in person last week so that usually helps to determine how to gauge a team. I had them at No. 21 the week before, but I don't really know how good Virginia Tech is. We don't really know how good West Virginia is either. I thought the way [ECU's] defense played, the way that Patrick Pinkney played…there isn't a team behind them that I think they couldn't beat. I jumped them over BYU, Oregon, Penn State and South Florida. I jumped them over a bunch of teams because I think they were more impressive than those teams.

Q: Your thoughts on the three voters who voted ECU in the top-5?

A: I think it's a little early for that…I'd have a hard time moving ECU above those other teams just based on beating West Virginia and Virginia Tech. [West Virginia] would have to go on to win the Big East and Virginia Tech would have to go on to win the ACC before I could move them up that much more.

Q: What's the buzz in the Triangle, regarding ECU?

A: I think there's a lot of college football fans around here that aren't affiliated with N.C. State and UNC, or certainly not Duke. I think there are casual fans who can see ECU as a team they can back and take interest in because the [Triangle] teams in the ACC are making an entry on a national level.

Q: Do you see ECU playing in a BCS Bowl this season?

A: I can. I really can. The dynamic is going to change for them because ECU has always wanted a piece of teams like N.C. State and Virginia…Now those teams are going to be gunning after ECU and they will see the same thing in C-USA...It's not going to be a cakewalk but it's wide open for them. They certainly cleared the two toughest hurdles.

This writer can be contacted at sports@theeastcarolinian.com.