re: Ive seen this twice since the preseason polls came out

Agreed. Not legit.

This is just another case of the pollsters trying to predict where teams will finish based on their schedule instead of who is really the best teams. There are more teams on LSU's schedule capable of beating the Tigers(4-5), than teams on Stanford's schedule capable of beating them (1 or 2). Thus they are ranked higher because they are expected to have a better record.... even though everyone knows LSU would murder Stanford's schedule (and probably be favored in a head to head game). Its a major flaw in the college football polling system.
The preseason polls should be made by the people who really have to put up or shut up-Las Vegas odds.