The USA Today Coaches Poll was released on Monday. In a move that surprised no one, the coaches named the top three teams that most expected: Alabama, Ohio State, and Georgia. Although Ohio State and Georgia are interchangeable in some preseason rankings, most that follow college football agree that the top three are rightly placed.
There are a few surprises on the list and a few programs that are ranked a little high, but most importantly, a couple of significant names that were left out.
Here is the Top 25 ranking according to the USA Today Coaches Poll:
- Alabama – with 54 first place votes
- Ohio State – with 5 first place votes
- Georgia – with 6 first place votes
- Clemson
- Notre Dame
- Michigan
- Texas A&M
- Utah
- Oklahoma
- Baylor
- Oklahoma State
- Oregon
- NC State
- Michigan State
- USC
- Pittsburgh
- Miami
- Texas – with 1 first place vote
- Wake Forest
- Wisconsin
- Kentucky
- Cincinnati
- Arkansas
- Ole Miss
- Houston
One of the most egregious snubs, considering the amount of media attention and the optimistic reports coming from the locker room, is the absence of the Tennessee Volunteers. Many of those most knowledgeable about college football have praised the Vols and Josh Heupel on their progress thus far and expect more to come in the 2022 season.
With predictions for the Volunteers ranging from 8 wins at the lowest to 10 wins at the most, a #28 ranking doesn’t make much sense, which is what the Vols would be if you could continued to tabulate votes after the Top 25. Perhaps the strength of Tennessee’s schedule is to blame, considering that Vanderbilt is the only other team to play 2 of the top 3 teams in the nation besides the Vols, or its the performance of their defense in 2021. Either way, the Vols have a fight on their hands to show these coaches, and the country, that they’re worthy to be in the Top 25.
2 Responses
It’s better to be snubbed, that way you can sneak up on teams.
Truth