The 1st USA Today Coaches Poll was released earlier today and Alabama was No.1, Ohio State No.2, GT No.17 and Georgia No.21.
What pissed me off was Florida coming in at No.3. Are you kidding me?
I will do a conference by conference look at the big six conferences in the coming weeks before the season kicks off, but for now, I'll give you the Preseason SportsbyFletch Top 25.
(Florida @ No.3? Not in this poll, you can BANK on that.)
1) Alabama. The defending champs bring back the Heisman trophy winner, an even better RB, the undefeated QB, a tough (but young) defense and of course, the best coach in the SEC Nick Saban. Roll Tide.
2) Ohio State. I am not high on TPryor as they use him, but he was unleashed a bit in the Rose Bowl. Honestly, they'll prolly run the table (including a win over Miami) and then get their teeth kicked in against Bama in the BCSCG. Surprise surprise surprise.
3) Texas. McCoy's replacement made a few plays against Bama that should give Longhorn fans hope that he'll be able to step in for the winningest QB in NCAA history.
4) OU. I realize OU lost a bunch of picks in the top five of the NFL draft, but Landry Jones got some precious reps with Bradford out last season. Expect him to be even better this season. Cannot WAIT for the Red River Shootout
5) VaTech. Through gritted teeth I say the Best Team in the ACC (well, not really because I'd rather they win than GaTech. Especially with my covering them on a new side project to be announced in full soon). The running game will be STOUT! The offense won't be the problem and the defense isn't as bad as everyone is making it out to be. Lazy journalists out there don't want to dig for a story. Easy to just say "Oh they lost a lot," and move on.
6) Boise State. Congrats Broncos, you are WAAAAAYYYYY too high for being a trick-offense running team that plays in the WAC/MWC/whatever conference you play in today. Kellen Moore is going to break Colt McCoy's (and David Greene's) record before he leaves Boise and that just pisses me off to NO END.
7)Iowa. Ricky Stanzi is back for the Hawkeyes and CKF is always building an offensive line. That is what he does. These guys will challenge for a BCS bid.
8)Florida. Fine, I'll put the Gators here, but come on, how much did they lose on defense AND offense? TOO MUCH to put them at No.3 without knowing what Brantley can really do. Why in the WORLD would I think that Urban will be successful with a guy like Brantley under center? That isn't his offense.
9) Miami. They'll be good. You know why? I watched youtube video of them.
10) Pittsburgh. Dion Parker, isn't that his name? That dude was BALLIN' last season. And the Big East is prime for Wanny's picking.
11) USC. I really like Matt Barkley, especially after watching him in that Ohio State game. While they are losing players left and right, Lane Kiffin has enough talent to win the Pac-10, wait, that's right...... And he'll probably screw it up anyways.
12) Nebraska. Bo Pelini has Jared Crick who Suh says is better than he is. Doubt that, but I cannot see anyone really challenging them in the B12North.
13) TCU. If Andy Dalton is back, then I like Gary Patterson's boys....to do well in that crap conference.
14) FSU. Christian Ponder, Jimbo Fisher and most importantly, Mark Stoops! FSU is back....sort of.
15) West Va. Just imagine if Masoli had gone there instead of Ole Miss. With Noel Devine, that offense would have been cooking!
16)Oregon. LaMichael James got in some off-season trouble and Masoli was booted, but these guys will likely still win the Pac-10
17) Wisco. Always a strong running game with the Badgers and this year is NO different. John Clay is a MAN running out there. Paul Mac can go deeper into this. And you know the Oline will standout as well.
18) Georgia Tech. Joshua Nesbitt is back and Coach Paul Johnson is a genius. Just ask him!
19) Georgia. You want to call me a homer? really? An elite 11 QB recruit that redshirted under CMR (who turned out two Heisman winners, a #1pick, the winningest QB in NCAA history and an SEC champ in his only season on the field), is under center with 10 returning starters on offense. And the defense DOESN'T have Rashad Jones or Bryan Evans or Willie Martinez anymore. Addition by subtraction. A BCS bowl isn't out of the question.
20) UNC. How about that defense? 5 first round picks? It could happen.
21) LSU. Les Miles has the talent. Too bad Les Miles has himself as coach.
22) Penn State. You're welcome Cake.
23) Ole Miss. You put Masoli in Nutt's offense and these guys win 9 games. They WILL be good this year after disappointing last year. 2nd in the SEC West.
24)Houston. Case Keenum is back at QB and while he won't win the Heisman, he'll put up some numbers. BIG numbers. They beat Okie State last year.
25) Oregon State. Let's give some love to Mike Riley and Quizz Rodgers.
Sorry Arkie, you are only a one man show.
Sorry Auburn, you will take a step back this season even with the criminal at QB
Sorry Utah, you don't play a real schedule....yet
Sorry Arizona, you let the wrong Stoops leave.
Sorry Stanford and Washington, I just can't you you guys beating USC again this year. Well, with Kiffin in charge....
Sorry Cincy. I like your QB. You'd be No.26 and even No.25 if I was as douchey as the coaches poll, which refuses to rank USC.
Sorry SoCar. win week 2 and we can talk. (But please don't.)
Sorry Clemson. I love me some Dabo, but KPark is unknown at this point.
More conference breakdowns to come.
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