College football preseason Coaches Poll: Who's overranked in top 25? Who's underrated?

The SEC and Huge Ten make up greater than half of the spots in USA At present’s 2024 preseason Coaches Ballot launched on Monday, with Georgia holding the No. 1 spot within the 12 months’s first rankings.

Every of the highest six groups and eight of the highest 10 are SEC or Huge Ten members: Ohio State (No. 2), Oregon (No. 3), Texas (No. 4), Alabama (No. 5) and Ole Miss (No. 6) spherical out the highest six. Notre Dame, an impartial, got here in at No. 7.

The SEC led all conferences with 9 of its 16 groups making the highest 25, which was voted on by a panel of 55 FBS coaches. Georgia had 46 first-place votes, adopted by Ohio State (seven), Texas (one) and reigning nationwide champion Michigan (one). Missouri (No. 11), LSU (No. 12), Tennessee (No. 15), Oklahoma (No. 16) and Texas A&M (No. 20) additionally signify the SEC within the ballot.

The Huge Ten had 4 groups within the prime 10, with Michigan (No. 8) and Penn State (No. 9) becoming a member of the Buckeyes and Geese. Washington, final 12 months’s nationwide runner-up, obtained essentially the most votes of groups outdoors the highest 25.

The Huge 12 had the third-most groups within the ballot with 5, with preseason convention championship favourite Utah being the very best amongst Huge 12 groups at No. 13. Kansas State (No. 17), Oklahoma State (No. 18), Arizona (No. 21) and Kansas (No. 24) additionally made the rankings.

The ACC had 4 groups make the ballot: Florida State (No. 10), Clemson (No. 14), Miami (No. 19) and NC State (No. 22).

All 4 energy conferences formally expanded this summer season by way of convention realignment. Six of the groups within the prime 25 modified leagues: Oregon and USC (Pac-12 to Huge Ten), Texas and Oklahoma (Huge 12 to SEC) and Utah and Arizona (Pac-12 to Huge 12). The previous Pac-12, which is now all the way down to solely Oregon State and Washington State, would have positioned 4 applications within the preseason ballot.

No groups from Group of 5 conferences made the ballot — Memphis was the closest, ending fifth within the “others receiving votes” class. Boise State was sixth amongst these outdoors the ballot, and Liberty, which obtained the Group of 5’s New Yr’s Six bid final season, was tenth amongst “others receiving votes.”

Louisville, Virginia Tech, SMU, Auburn, West Virginia and Wisconsin have been additionally among the many prime 10 groups that obtained votes however missed the highest 25.

Who’s overrated? Who’s underrated?

Is it potential to say the No. 2 group is underrated? Ohio State has a loaded roster with loads of returning expertise and key switch portal additions like operating again Quinshon Judkins, security Caleb Downs and quarterback Will Howard. Georgia’s latest championship historical past and Heisman Trophy favourite in quarterback Carson Beck definitely make the Bulldogs deserving of the No. 1 spot, however it was intriguing to see the Buckeyes get solely seven first-place votes in comparison with Georgia’s 46.

Michigan, the reigning nationwide champion, begins outdoors the highest 5 however nonetheless within the prime 10 as Sherrone Moore takes over for Jim Harbaugh. Washington, now led by Jedd Fisch after Kalen DeBoer took the Alabama job, lacking the highest 25 after taking part in for a nationwide championship is a bit stunning. Fisch’s former group, Arizona, needs to be a Huge 12 title contender with quarterback Noah Fifita and receiver Tetairoa McMillan returning.

Ole Miss’ No. 6 rating is eye-opening, however the Rebels additionally had a productive offseason within the portal, touchdown impression gamers like Princely Umanmielen and Walter Nolen. They’ve additionally completed within the prime 11 of the School Soccer Playoff rankings every of the final three years, indicators of what Lane Kiffin is constructing in Oxford.

Missouri feels a bit underrated at No. 11. The Tigers completed within the prime 10 final season and return quarterback Brady Cook dinner and receiver Luther Burden III.

Alabama within the prime 5 isn’t any shock given this system’s pedigree, however there’s much less certainty in Tuscaloosa than regular after the offseason workers adjustments following Nick Saban’s retirement. The Crimson Tide’s No. 5 rating is their lowest preseason rating since 2009.

(Photograph: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Pictures)