Preseason USA Today Coaches Poll

It will be released at 6 a.m. Eastern, Friday.

Any thoughts?  USC's a lock at number one, but how will the rest of the top 10 go?  Any surprises in the top 25?

In the meantime, vicariously enjoy the Friday Photo Blog at Pismo Beach some place in Cambria, CA (below).

UPDATE: The poll is in, USC's No. 1 but not unanimously.  Top 10 (with first place votes):

1. USC (45)
2. LSU (4)
3. Florida (9)
4. Texas
5. Michigan (2)
6. West Virginia
7. Wisconsin
8. Oklahoma
9. Virginia Tech
10. Ohio State
    

Comments

[GatorDave]

You're right about USC being #1. LSU and Michigan will be 2 and 3, though I'm not sure in which order. Texas is probably also a lock for the top 5, with West Virginia being in the "highly probable" category. My guess:

1. USC
2. LSU
3. Michigan
4. Texas
5. West Virginia

[CFR]

Sounds about right.

Are you going to rename your blog "Year 3"? Heh.

BTW I should have my preseason rankings out soon. I'm still tinkering a bit but I think you'll appreciate where I have the Gators.

[GatorDave]

Well, it's now Year 2 of the Tebow era, so the name stays. It's a weasel-y way to do it, but it's always the second year of something, right?

By the way, I put together a spreadsheet that allows you to rate all 119 teams in I-A football into 5 categories. As you rate the teams, it automatically calculates statistics based on your ratings. This might be helpful if you're looking to draw quick conclusions on the strength of the conferences and college football in general.

You can find it, along with a screencast on how to use it, in this post: http://year2.wordpress.com/2007/07/24/ratings-machine/

Just thought you might find it useful. If you do, send me some feedback. Keep up the good work with your site; it's a very enjoyable read.

[GatorDave]

Ho-ly cow. Florida is way over-ranked at #3 preseason. There's no way they deserve that with the defense the Gators are putting on the field. They might earn that eventually, but right now, they haven't proven anything. Geez, that's setting them up for a fall. I don't like this...

[Joe]

I'd agree that # 3 is a little high for the Gators. Not sure if Ohio State is Top 10 material out of the gate either with all of the personnel losses on offense.

I see the Ol' Ball Coach voted the Dukies in again for Others Receiving Votes. At least, I think it was him :)

[Eric]

Who voted for Memphis?

[jon johnston]

I am failing to understand why Texas is ranked above Oklahoma. I understand the star attraction of Colt McCoy, but OU has a more complete team than Texas, and they proved last year they could win the Big 12 by running the ball and playing good defense.

Florida is ranked high out of respect for winning a national title. Blah blah blah Michigan. Again, lots of talent and prepared to disappoint the Blue faithful.

Rest of the top 25, rank UCLA higher, Nebraska a little higher (I'm biased there), Rutgers lower, Georgia a little higher.

[Vince Mullins]

Phil Steele (or a big fan of his) must have voted for Memphis - that is his surprise team for 2007. Also, agreed that Gators are too high at 3, unless Tebow is Touchdown Jesus.