The results are based on students supporting the candidate on their profile, according to the Web site. Facebook.com officials did not return multiple requests from the Montgomery Advertiser seeking comment.

Although experts are quick to note the survey doesn't have a scientific basis, Riley's lead of more than 20 percentage points mirrors that of a recent scientific poll.

"It's very reflective of what the campus is feeling," said Kristy Cottrell, chairman of the Auburn University College Republicans.

Cottrell said the university has benefited under the Riley administration. She cited the Auburn University Research Park that was funded through a bond issue authorized by Riley.

Brandon Costerison, president of the Auburn University College Democrats, questioned the survey's accuracy.

He said students are quiet about their support for Baxley because of peer pressure to support Republicans.

"The numbers are obviously pretty skewed," he said.

Stephanie Reynolds, acting president of the Auburn University Montgomery College Democrats, said support on Facebook.com doesn't necessarily translate into votes.

"Election day is when we'll really see who turns out," Reynolds said. "I'm not going to read too much into it."

She said Baxley has more student support because they don't believe Riley and the Republican Party are focused on the needs of college students.

She said Republicans in Washington have raised interest rates on student loans while the amount of Pell Grants has dropped.

The faculty adviser to AUM's College Republicans said the survey accurately reflects student views.

"They know that the governor has been good for education and they appreciate that," adviser Bolling Hall Holt IV said in an e-mail.

He said students also realize Riley has helped the economy, which means a better job market for graduates.

Zac McCrary, spokesman for the Alabama Democratic Party, disagreed.

"I don't think (the survey) is reflective of where students are," he said, citing the same reasons as Reynolds.

The Riley campaign declined to comment on the site's results.

Baxley campaign spokesman Jeff Bridges said Alabama college students probably don't support Riley. He pointed to an editorial in the University of Alabama student newspaper, The Crimson White.

The editorial in Wednesday's newspaper criticized Riley for leading voters to believe he wouldn't raise taxes during his first campaign and then supporting a $1.2 billion tax increase in 2003.

"Riley has repeatedly tried to raid Alabama's Education Trust Fund, and I think if you actually read the comments on Facebook.com you'll see that Alabama college students don't trust Bob Riley, and they do trust Lucy Baxley," Bridges said in a statement.

Collin Rich, vice-chairman of the University of Alabama College Republicans was encouraged by more than the survey results.

"This poll requires students to actively support their candidate on their respective profiles, and that is the most encouraging thing for me," he said in an e-mail. "It totally debunks the idea of rampant apathy among college students."

A representative for the university's College Democrats could not be immediately reached for comment.

Pollsters cautioned reading too much into the survey.

"It's interesting, but not particularly useful," said Larry Powell, a communications professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Powell conducted a recent poll that found Riley about 20 percentage points ahead of Baxley.

It's also unwise to read too much into the survey because students voicing their support of candidates on a Web site profile are probably more politically active than other students, said Bruce Barrett, an associate professor of statistics at the University of Alabama and faculty adviser to the university chapter of the College Republicans.

He said the majority of students might have a different type of response when asked about the gubernatorial race.

"I suppose the majority response might be, 'Huh?'" he said.