With the college football season just around the corner now, the USA TODAY Coaches Poll has been released.
We’re getting closer and closer to the beginning of the 2017 college football season, so that means it’s time to find out who is regarded as some of the top teams in the nation. On Thursday, we got a brief glimpse of that, as the 2017 preseason Coaches Poll has been released.
Of course, there’s really no surprise at the top of the pile to start the season, as the Alabama Crimson Tide are No. 1 in the nation in the Coaches Poll. Although they were narrowly defeated in the national championship by the Clemson Tigers, there is enough returning talent on this team and stars coming in to believe they will easily contend for a title once again this coming season.
Now the No. 2 spot on the list might surprise some. The Ohio State Buckeyes, who were blown out 31-0 by Clemson in the first leg of the College Football Playoff on New Year’s Eve, come in right behind the Tide. While the blowout is still in many’s memories, that was a young Ohio State team who wasn’t supposed to be in contention for a title last year. This year, they’re more mature and know what it takes. Not to mention, having J.T. Barrett for one more season certainly does help.
And to round out the top-3 is the team who will open up the season in Atlanta against No. 1 Alabama, the Florida State Seminoles. Coming off a huge win in the Orange Bowl over the Michigan Wolverines, the ‘Noles are ready to chase a title under the direction of returning quarterback Deondre Francois.
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You can view the entire USA TODAY Coaches Poll below.
1. Alabama
2. Ohio State
3. Florida State
4. USC
5. Clemson
6. Penn State
7. Washington
8. Oklahoma
9. Michigan
10. Wisconsin
11. Oklahoma State
12. LSU
13. Auburn
14. Stanford
15. Georgia
16. Florida
17. Louisville
18. Miami
19. Kansas State
20. West Virginia
21. South Florida
22. Virginia Tech
23. Texas
24. Tennessee
25. Utah
We’re a little under a month away from the beginning of the college football season, and now we’re getting a first look at the teams who will be regarded as the best of the best coming in, as well as some a little further down the list who might be ready to prove the voters wrong and make a run toward the top.