The debut of USA Today’s Coaches Poll was released today. This poll is conducted weekly, with 65 coaches from the FBS being selected at random to rank what they believe is the Top 25 for College Football. Their first-place vote receives 25 points, second place team receives 24 points, and so on until the 25th place team is ranked and receives 1 point.
Looking through the first coaches poll there aren’t too many surprises. Indiana is in unfamiliar territory as they start the year ranked after an impressive 2020 campaign under Tom Allen. There are 3 “Group of 5” teams included. Cincinnati, which we all expected, UL-Lafayette, and Coastal Carolina. The Ragin Cajun’s are ranked 23rd after coming off of a 10-1 record with their only loss coming to the 24th ranked team in the poll Coastal Carolina. The Chanticleers were 11-1 with their only loss coming in the Camping World Bowl to Liberty, a team they beat earlier in the year.
The release of USA Today’s Coaches Poll is another sign that College Football is almost here. It is great to see where each team will start the year, but it is even more fun to watch their journey on where they finish.
USA Today Preseason Coaches Poll
#1 Alabama
#2 Clemson
#3 Oklahoma
#4 Ohio State
#5 Georgia
#6 Texas A&M
#7 Notre Dame
#8 Iowa State
#9 North Carolina
#10 Cincinnati
#11 Florida
#12 Oregon
#13 LSU
#14 USC
#15 Wisconsin
#16 Miami
#17 Indiana
#18 Iowa
#19 Texas
#20 Penn State
#21 Washington
#22 Oklahoma State
#23 UL-Lafeyette
#24 Coastal Carolina
#25 Ole Miss
Others receiving votes:
Utah 145; Northwestern 120; Arizona State 90; Auburn 84; Liberty 68; Brigham Young 53; Texas Christian 48; Michigan 30; Central Florida 29; NC State 27; Boise State 27; Kentucky 20; San Jose State 18; Army 13; Virginia Tech 9; Missouri 8; UCLA 7; Tulsa 6; Pittsburgh 6; Boston College 6; Houston 5; Ball State 5; West Virginia 4; Southern Methodist 4; Appalachian State 4; UAB 3; Arkansas 3; Nevada 2; Mississippi State 2; Air Force 2; Stanford 1; Marshall 1; Florida State 1; California 1.