August 8th, 2022 at 12:20 PM ^
We'll likely move into the top 5 after week 1.
August 8th, 2022 at 12:37 PM ^
It does seem pretty likely that the loser of ND vs OSU would drop below Michigan in the polls, but if Utah beats Florida on the road I could see them jumping us. Oregon is probably the only other team with a shot to move up ahead Michigan, but Georgia would likely drop below Michigan if they were to lose that game.
I'd prefer to be in the top 4 after the last Saturday in November.
August 8th, 2022 at 12:22 PM ^
PSU not being ranked is interesting
Going 7-6 after 4-5 in 2020 will do that to you. Lost 6 of 8 to close last season.
Frames really approaching that "nobody does less with more than..." label.
approaching???
There were a ton of raised eyebrows when Penn State started the year ranked last year.
Iowa/Penn State last year was #3 vs. #4!
LSU not being ranked is interesting. I do hate Kelly, but I am also going to an LSU game in Baton Rouge this year and want happy Cajuns not despondent ones.
August 8th, 2022 at 11:52 PM ^
Which game? Maybe I’ll catch you at a tailgate for a beer.
And don’t worry. The Cajuns are always happy as long as there’s plenty of food and beer.
August 9th, 2022 at 10:26 PM ^
Going to Ol Miss game
August 8th, 2022 at 12:22 PM ^
If the meteor is accurate top 4.
August 8th, 2022 at 12:25 PM ^
Texas has no place in a top-25 until they prove they can beat Kansas.
MY Daughter (attends KU) was in Austin for a sorority gathering and went to the game and watched the Texas version of The Horror... So proud of my little girl.
EDIT
Someone gave them a first place vote.
Did that someone mix up their longhorns and aggies?
and Maryland
August 8th, 2022 at 12:28 PM ^
ND at 5 - overrated.
Clemson at 4 - overrated.
Sparty at 14 - in Sparty's dreams.
August 8th, 2022 at 12:38 PM ^
Clemson has all the talent and their defense was nasty last season. If they find a decent QB, will not be shocked to see them in the playoff.
August 8th, 2022 at 12:59 PM ^
their defense was nasty last season
Venables is gone though
But his system is probably so entrenched at Clemson by now that it'll take a few years for cracks to show. I honestly don't know if they retained any of Venables assistants, but if they did I'd be surprised if they took much of a step back in the next year or two
Clemson's DL is loaded with a bunch of grown-ass men that will play on Sunday. As bad as they seemed last year with subpar QB play, they still managed to win 10 games. I don't think they deserve to start out ranked 4, but I think they will be much better this year than last.
August 8th, 2022 at 12:59 PM ^
I think they need an OLine. Their QB seemed to spend most of his time running for his life last year.
My first thought too. And from what I’ve heard, there’s no reason for the line to be much better this year. It baffles me that people are picking them to go to the playoffs. Especially with Venables gone
ACC is pretty shit though. Zero games on their schedule I would point to as a likely loss outside of maybe going to South Bend on Nov 1.
August 8th, 2022 at 12:29 PM ^
No. 6 is pretty high for us, given the questions we have on Defense and the new coaching roles. There's no accounting for the impact of brand recognition in preseason polls, but I'd sure like to wind up in the top 6 at the end of the year.
August 8th, 2022 at 12:39 PM ^
I'd rather be assured of making the playoffs. Top 4 would be nice.
In 2021, Michigan was unranked to start the season. Suffice to say, we're starting a whole lot higher than last year. It won't take long to get into the Top 4. Beating Iowa at Kinnick on Oct 1st would cinch a Top 4 ranking. Go Blue!
Top 6?
Yeah, so, that playoff change that was talked about? That was only talked about...
I thought so too until I listened to Jansen’s podcast with coach. He (coach)seems to think our D is going to be better and is in better shape right now than last year at this time. Then he mentioned all of the potential edge players to fill the losses and I feel better. I actually think our season ceiling is higher than last year. Especially with the explosive potential of the offense. Of course, we all have Rose colored glasses in the fall training camp season. Starting to get pumped up…
Last year almost no one was predicting our defense to be great. Ojabo came out of nowhere. Aidan was already elite but no one foresaw a Heisman runner-up. So I find it amusing that so many people -- especially Ohio State and MSU fans -- are assuming that our defense will drop off a cliff. There might be some non-conference growing pains, but we'll be just fine.
No 6 is not high considering how pathetic our schedule is. We have 8 cupcakes with no excuses not to win those games. The four actual games will be against penn state iowa michigan state and ohio state but thats assuming that all four teams are gonna be great. Even if we split those 4 (worst case scenario) that would still put us as a top 10 team by the end of the year. So maybe 8 or 9 would make more sense but i think most projections have us going 11-1 based on the team coming back and the ease of our schedule
Yeah, my first reaction to the poll was: Does it seem like the coaches are even less clued in than sportswriters?
August 8th, 2022 at 12:34 PM ^
Just wanted to point everybody's attention to this -
Yes, that's a 1st place vote for 5-7 (3-6 Conference) "We play Alabama in Week 2" Texas. Just in case anybody was wondering how useless Preseason Polls are
August 8th, 2022 at 12:38 PM ^
So what you're saying is... Texas is Back?
Sark comin'
August 8th, 2022 at 12:44 PM ^
someone at sec media days had vandy winning the sec. treat these polls like the sham they are
August 8th, 2022 at 12:36 PM ^
ACC with more ranked teams than the B1G.
August 8th, 2022 at 12:36 PM ^
Nice to have Wisconsin off the schedule.
Better for the health of our players, mostly.
August 8th, 2022 at 12:37 PM ^
That's pretty bullish on us I think given the defensive departures, but if ND is somehow 5 then us clocking in at 6 almost seems bearish.
August 8th, 2022 at 12:39 PM ^
Texas will be unranked after they get annihilated at home by Bama in week 2. ND will fall in the rankings after they get annihilated by OSU week 1
ND will fall to #6. We'll drop to #7 after winning 38-17, but giving up two garbage TD's in the 4th quarter while we figure out the LB rotation.
August 8th, 2022 at 12:41 PM ^
Cincy getting no respeck
August 8th, 2022 at 12:42 PM ^
ND at 5 is actually insane. New head coach, new RB replacing Kyren Williams, and the likely starting QB is a sophomore with a 1:1 TD/INT ratio
I think Freeman will be a good coach but agree that 5 is way too high this year. My prediction is "tougher out than expected" while still losing to OSU and Clemson and dumping another one somewhere.
August 8th, 2022 at 12:43 PM ^
Preseason assistants poll.
if usc isn't on it is it even really a preseason poll
USC and Texas in preseason polls make me lol
I love how the SEC has two in the top 3 and then no one until 21, 24, & 25.
Kentucky's OOC schedule is: Miami (NTM), Youngstown State, Northern Illinois, Louisville. Their only tough conference games are: @ FL & Georgia. The will end up with 9+ wins, be ranked, and be an absolutely crappy overall team.
Ole Miss' OOC schedule is: Troy, Central Arkansas, Georgia Tech, Tulsa. Their tough conference games are Auburn, LSU. Texas A&M, Alabama. (unfortunately for Ole Miss, they play them in that order the second half of the season). They will be ranked and then plummet when they hit that stretch.
Arkansas OOC schedule is: Cincinnati, Missouri St, BYU, Liberty. Those games are spread out across the season. Props for a legit OOC schedule for an SEC school. They also have Texas A&M & Alabama in back-to-back games. I'm guessing it will be difficult for them to repeat their 9 wins from last season.