In our first glimpse of a pecking order in terms of how the nation views college football this season, the initial Amway/USA Today Coaches Poll for the 2018 season was released today.
While pre-season rankings don't always mean much, a higher ranking early on can be favorable when jockeying for position at the end of the season. Considering the last impression anyone had of the Canes was losing three straight to end last season, putting a damper on Mark Richt's electric second year with UM, Miami made out pretty favorably in the pre-season rankings, slotting in at #8 overall. It's Miami's first top 10 ranking to start the season since 2006, when Larry Coker was at the reigns on the program. Here's how USA Today summarized Miami's season outlook after giving them a spot in their top 10 teams in the country:
"The Hurricanes had a dream start last season with 10 consecutive wins before ending with a thud. LB Shaq Quarterman is part of an athletic defense that should be improved. The question is if the offense can do its part. Better play from QB Malik Rosier is pivotal."
This also means Miami's first matchup of the season is set and they will officially be playing a ranked opponent. #8 Miami will square off against #24 LSU on Sept. 2nd in Arlington, Texas. The game will be shown on ABC at 7:30 ET.
Miami at #8 would make them the presumptive favorites to win the ACC Coastal according to the coaches, as Virginia Tech is the next highest divisional opponent at #17. However, the coaches have chosen the Clemson Tigers as the favorites to win the ACC overall, slotting them at #2 in the nation. The coaches see Clemson facing off with Alabama yet again in the playoffs for a 4th straight year, with the placing of the defending champion Crimson Tide at #1 as expected.
Coming off a 7-6 season, Miami's arch-rival Florida State nabbed a #19 ranking in new head coach Willie Taggart's first season at the helm. They were the final ACC team to be ranked, bringing the ACC's total to 4. UCF was the next highest in-state team at #23 and also sport a new head coach in Josh Heupel. The coaches also gave a lot of respect to another new head coach, Dan Mullen and the Florida Gators. Even though UF ended last season at 4-7, the Gators are only the second team out of the rankings and are technically considered #27 in the country.
By conference, the SEC, the Big 10, and the Big 12 actually lead the way in ranked teams to start the year in a three-way tie with 5, followed by the ACC (4), Pac 12 (3), AAC (1), Moutain West (1), and Independents (1).
2018 Pre-Season Coaches Poll Results
1. Alabama (61)
2. Clemson (3)
3. Ohio St (1)
4. Georgia
5. Oklahoma
6. Washington
7. Wisconsin
8. Miami
9. Penn State
10. Auburn
11. Notre Dame
12. Michigan State
13. Stanford
14. Michigan
15. USC
16. TCU
17. Virginia Tech
18. Mississippi State
19. Florida State
20. West Virginia
21. Texas
22. Boise State
23. UCF
24. LSU
25. Oklahoma State
Other receiving votes: South Carolina (9-4) 138; Florida (4-7) 135; Oregon (7-6) 105; Utah (7-6) 81; Northwestern (10-3) 67; Texas A&M (7-6) 67; Kansas State (8-5) 35; Florida Atlantic (11-3) 27; Boston College (7-6) 23; Memphis (10-3) 23; North Carolina State (9-4) 22; Arkansas State (7-5) 19; Troy (11-2) 19; Appalachian State (9-4) 16; San Diego State (10-3) 15; Iowa (8-5) 8; Iowa State (8-5) 8; Kentucky (7-6) 8; Washington State (9-4) 7; South Florida (10-2) 6; Duke (7-6) 5; Fresno State (10-4) 4; Louisville (8-5) 3; Arizona (7-6) 2; Houston (7-5) 2; Army (10-3) 1; Northern Illinois (8-5) 1.
While pre-season rankings don't always mean much, a higher ranking early on can be favorable when jockeying for position at the end of the season. Considering the last impression anyone had of the Canes was losing three straight to end last season, putting a damper on Mark Richt's electric second year with UM, Miami made out pretty favorably in the pre-season rankings, slotting in at #8 overall. It's Miami's first top 10 ranking to start the season since 2006, when Larry Coker was at the reigns on the program. Here's how USA Today summarized Miami's season outlook after giving them a spot in their top 10 teams in the country:
"The Hurricanes had a dream start last season with 10 consecutive wins before ending with a thud. LB Shaq Quarterman is part of an athletic defense that should be improved. The question is if the offense can do its part. Better play from QB Malik Rosier is pivotal."
This also means Miami's first matchup of the season is set and they will officially be playing a ranked opponent. #8 Miami will square off against #24 LSU on Sept. 2nd in Arlington, Texas. The game will be shown on ABC at 7:30 ET.
Miami at #8 would make them the presumptive favorites to win the ACC Coastal according to the coaches, as Virginia Tech is the next highest divisional opponent at #17. However, the coaches have chosen the Clemson Tigers as the favorites to win the ACC overall, slotting them at #2 in the nation. The coaches see Clemson facing off with Alabama yet again in the playoffs for a 4th straight year, with the placing of the defending champion Crimson Tide at #1 as expected.
Coming off a 7-6 season, Miami's arch-rival Florida State nabbed a #19 ranking in new head coach Willie Taggart's first season at the helm. They were the final ACC team to be ranked, bringing the ACC's total to 4. UCF was the next highest in-state team at #23 and also sport a new head coach in Josh Heupel. The coaches also gave a lot of respect to another new head coach, Dan Mullen and the Florida Gators. Even though UF ended last season at 4-7, the Gators are only the second team out of the rankings and are technically considered #27 in the country.
By conference, the SEC, the Big 10, and the Big 12 actually lead the way in ranked teams to start the year in a three-way tie with 5, followed by the ACC (4), Pac 12 (3), AAC (1), Moutain West (1), and Independents (1).
2018 Pre-Season Coaches Poll Results
1. Alabama (61)
2. Clemson (3)
3. Ohio St (1)
4. Georgia
5. Oklahoma
6. Washington
7. Wisconsin
8. Miami
9. Penn State
10. Auburn
11. Notre Dame
12. Michigan State
13. Stanford
14. Michigan
15. USC
16. TCU
17. Virginia Tech
18. Mississippi State
19. Florida State
20. West Virginia
21. Texas
22. Boise State
23. UCF
24. LSU
25. Oklahoma State
Other receiving votes: South Carolina (9-4) 138; Florida (4-7) 135; Oregon (7-6) 105; Utah (7-6) 81; Northwestern (10-3) 67; Texas A&M (7-6) 67; Kansas State (8-5) 35; Florida Atlantic (11-3) 27; Boston College (7-6) 23; Memphis (10-3) 23; North Carolina State (9-4) 22; Arkansas State (7-5) 19; Troy (11-2) 19; Appalachian State (9-4) 16; San Diego State (10-3) 15; Iowa (8-5) 8; Iowa State (8-5) 8; Kentucky (7-6) 8; Washington State (9-4) 7; South Florida (10-2) 6; Duke (7-6) 5; Fresno State (10-4) 4; Louisville (8-5) 3; Arizona (7-6) 2; Houston (7-5) 2; Army (10-3) 1; Northern Illinois (8-5) 1.
