The Coaches Poll was released this morning, which for me marks the start of the football season. The Coaches Poll is the organization that awards the national championship trophy after the BCS bowls, and is the primary component of the BCS formula. Thus, these rankings will be the rankings which we will have to play against all season. Let the games begin.
Below are the preseason predictions for the Coaches Poll, and My preseason rankings. (First place votes are in parentheses)
| Ranking | ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll | My Preseason Rankings |
| 1 | Ohio State (28) | Notre Dame |
| 2 | Texas (11) | Auburn |
| 3 (tie) | Notre Dame (9) | Michigan |
| 3 (tie) | Southern Cal (1) | Texas |
| 5 | Oklahoma (13) | Southern Cal |
| 6 | Auburn (1) | Ohio State |
| 7 | West Virginia | Florida State |
| 8 | Florida | LSU |
| 9 | LSU | California |
| 10 | Florida State | West Virginia |
| 11 | Miami (FL) | Florida |
| 12 | California | Oklahoma |
| 13 | Louisville | Miami (FL) |
| 14 | Georgia | Georgia |
| 15 | Michigan | Louisville |
| 16 | Virginia Tech | Iowa |
| 17 | Iowa | Penn State |
| 18 | Clemson | Georgia Tech |
| 19 | Penn State | Texas Tech |
| 20 | Oregon | Tennessee |
| 21 | Texas Christian | Alabama |
| 22 | Nebraska | South Carolina |
| 23 | Tennessee | Virginia Tech |
| 24 | Alabama | Oregon |
| 25 | Texas Tech | Texas Christian |
Notes:
I wonder how many ballots were turned in before Bomar was kicked off the squad at OU - 13 people ranked them #1.
Texas appears to be getting quite a boost from their National Championship - Vince Young is not replaceable, however, and the Horns will be great, but not the best.
SC and Ohio State both were absolutely devastated by the draft, and they are both overrated. On talent alone, they will be very good football teams, but the Ohio State defense returns only 3 starters, and USC lost two Heisman winners from their offensive backfield.
West Virginia is not as good as the other teams around them, but they have a favorable schedule.
In a year where every team has their weaknesses, Auburn is getting very little credit. They are an all-around good team - no weaknesses. They lack the playmakers of the other top teams, but their lack of weaknesses will have them in a position to be able to win every game they play this year. Would they deserve a #2 ranking by me in any other year? Probably not. But this year, there is simply nobody else that doesn't have glaring holes to fill.
Michigan, in my opinion, is immensely underrated in the Coaches Poll. They are loaded with experienced juniors poised for abreakout season. They will probably lose their road opener against the Irish, but they will likely win all of their other games, except perhaps Ohio State.
No comments:
Post a Comment