Carter would have smoked Reagan if the election had come a month earlier. This kind of poll is simply a substitute for news--and a manufactured chance to disparage the indomitable Sarah.
At least PPP was honest enough to reveal exactly how they did it in August after Sarah shocked them with the July numbers. I give them that. They went to a sample that had:
21% -- college grad
35% -- post grad (either degree or work toward a degree). That's double the actual numbers from the 2008 exit polls.
These pollsters can arrive at any result they want by manipulating the sample. It's hard to trust any of them although Rasmussen and Pew seem pretty accurate based on their 2008 results in calling the election.
Could Sarah Palin beat Obama today? No, and I highly doubt any Republican could. Long way 'til 2012.