The Trojans received 25 of a possible 60 first-place and collected 1,445 points in The Associated Press’ poll. The defending national champion Crimson Tide received 17 first-place votes and 1,411 points while LSU, which lost to Alabama in the BCS title game, grabbed 16 first-place votes and 1,402 points.
LSU appeared to be the favorite to take the AP poll’s top spot until Bednarik Award winner and Heisman Trophy finalist Tyrann Mathieu was dismissed last week, reportedly for failed drug tests. Because of Mathieu’s dismissal, the AP extended the deadline. Before the extension, LSU received 28 first-place votes, USC had 22 and Alabama received nine.
Apparently, Mathieu means that much to LSU, in the eyes of the voters.
There’s much more to the preseason poll, so we thought we’d break it down for you, with the college football season only two weeks away:
TEAM TOO HIGH
Clemson: Fresh off their defensive collapse against West Virginia in the Orange Bowl, the Tigers will begin the season ranked 14th. Sure, there’s some nice talent coming back on both sides of the ball, and the offense has the potential to score at will, but All-American wide receiver Sammy Watkins won’t be available for the first two games (stemming from his May arrest on drug charges). And Clemson has a tough opener against a talented Auburn team in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff in Atlanta. There’s a chance these Tigers won’t last in the top 15 for long.
TEAM TOO LOW
LSU: Does Mathieu really make that much of a difference for the Tigers? Yes, he’s an All-American talent and a pure game-changer, but LSU has the talent to replace him by committee on defense. LSU is loaded on both sides of the ball and still should be in the thick of the national title race without Mathieu on board. The defense is still elite and the offense should be much stronger with Zach Mettenbergerunder center. Odell Beckham Jr. appears to be a solid replacement at punt returner, as well. LSU should feel slighted by not being No. 1 or 2 in the AP poll.
CONFERENCE KINGS
The SEC and the Big 12 led all conferences with six teams in the AP poll. Five of the SEC’s six teams are ranked in the top 10, while the Big 12 has five teams ranked in the top 20. The SEC has flexed its muscles during the entire BCS era and the Big 12 wowed viewers with the offensive spectacles it put on last year. Two conferences with two very different philosophies are at the top of the college football world.
CONFERENCE SLIGHTED
The Big East hasn’t had much success with the preseason AP poll, and that continued Saturday. The conference hasn't had more than one team in the preseason AP poll since 2010; Louisville (No. 25) is the only one in this poll. South Florida and Cincinnati were the only other Big East schools to receive votes for the top 25, but neither received many. What has to sting even more is the fact that West Virginia, which left the Big East for the Big 12, will enter the year ranked No. 11.
SLEEPER TEAM
Virginia Tech: Some key offense parts from last season, including four starters along the offensive line, are gone, but the Hokies’ defense is stacked. Defensive coordinator Bud Foster has to be giddy about the talent returning in his front seven, which returns its entire defensive line. Scoring points on the Hokies will be quite the challenge this fall, so maybe that young offense won’t have to do too much. The good news is that quarterback Logan Thomas, who had a breakout year in 2011, is back and he’ll help mold some of the youngsters around him. Virginia Tech will have to get through Clemson and Florida State to win the ACC, but don’t be surprised if the Hokies make some sort of BCS run again.
BCS BUSTER
Ohio State: Urban Meyer and his guys might not be eligible for a bowl game, but that won’t stop the Buckeyes from making some noise this fall. In fact, it will probably motivate them. The 18th-ranked Buckeyes could play spoiler for Big Ten teams like Michigan, Michigan State and Wisconsin that are looking for BCS glory. Michigan State and Wisconsin are both road games for Ohio State, but the Wolverines have to play in Columbus, and Meyer knows a thing or two about preparing for rivalry games. Braxton Miller is the perfect quarterback for Meyer’s offense and a handful of starters are back on defense. Ohio State will ruin someone’s BCS run.
LSU: Does Mathieu really make that much of a difference for the Tigers? Yes, he’s an All-American talent and a pure game-changer, but LSU has the talent to replace him by committee on defense. LSU is loaded on both sides of the ball and still should be in the thick of the national title race without Mathieu on board. The defense is still elite and the offense should be much stronger with Zach Mettenbergerunder center. Odell Beckham Jr. appears to be a solid replacement at punt returner, as well. LSU should feel slighted by not being No. 1 or 2 in the AP poll.
CONFERENCE KINGS
The SEC and the Big 12 led all conferences with six teams in the AP poll. Five of the SEC’s six teams are ranked in the top 10, while the Big 12 has five teams ranked in the top 20. The SEC has flexed its muscles during the entire BCS era and the Big 12 wowed viewers with the offensive spectacles it put on last year. Two conferences with two very different philosophies are at the top of the college football world.
CONFERENCE SLIGHTED
The Big East hasn’t had much success with the preseason AP poll, and that continued Saturday. The conference hasn't had more than one team in the preseason AP poll since 2010; Louisville (No. 25) is the only one in this poll. South Florida and Cincinnati were the only other Big East schools to receive votes for the top 25, but neither received many. What has to sting even more is the fact that West Virginia, which left the Big East for the Big 12, will enter the year ranked No. 11.
SLEEPER TEAM
Virginia Tech: Some key offense parts from last season, including four starters along the offensive line, are gone, but the Hokies’ defense is stacked. Defensive coordinator Bud Foster has to be giddy about the talent returning in his front seven, which returns its entire defensive line. Scoring points on the Hokies will be quite the challenge this fall, so maybe that young offense won’t have to do too much. The good news is that quarterback Logan Thomas, who had a breakout year in 2011, is back and he’ll help mold some of the youngsters around him. Virginia Tech will have to get through Clemson and Florida State to win the ACC, but don’t be surprised if the Hokies make some sort of BCS run again.
BCS BUSTER
Ohio State: Urban Meyer and his guys might not be eligible for a bowl game, but that won’t stop the Buckeyes from making some noise this fall. In fact, it will probably motivate them. The 18th-ranked Buckeyes could play spoiler for Big Ten teams like Michigan, Michigan State and Wisconsin that are looking for BCS glory. Michigan State and Wisconsin are both road games for Ohio State, but the Wolverines have to play in Columbus, and Meyer knows a thing or two about preparing for rivalry games. Braxton Miller is the perfect quarterback for Meyer’s offense and a handful of starters are back on defense. Ohio State will ruin someone’s BCS run.
U can check the Top25 ranks @ espn.com
No comments:
Post a Comment