USA today released its preseason coaches poll today, with few surprises, at least on the Big Ten side of things:

1. Alabama (55) 1,469

2. Ohio State (4) 1,392

3. Florida 1,245

4. Texas 1,240

5. Boise State 1,215

6. Virginia Tech 1,052

7. TCU 1,051

8. Oklahoma 1,035

9. Nebraska 1,001

10. Iowa 952

11. Oregon 940

12. Wisconsin 778

13. Miami (Fla.) 728

14. Penn State 508

15. Pittsburgh 492

16. LSU    476

17. Georgia Tech 455

18. North Carolina 445

19. Arkansas 438

20. Florida State 374

21. Georgia 312

22. Oregon State 263

23. Auburn 260

24t. Utah 169

24t. West Virginia 169
 
Others receiving votes
Cincinnati (12-1) 135; Houston (10-4) 76; Brigham Young (11-2) 66; Arizona (8-5) 65; Mississippi (9-4) 48; Clemson (9-5) 44; Stanford (8-5) 41; Connecticut (8-5) 40; Notre Dame (6-6) 38; South Carolina (7-6) 38; Washington (5-7) 26; Missouri (8-5) 23; Navy (10-4) 12; Oklahoma State (9-4) 11; Boston College (8-5) 10; Michigan State (6-7) 10; Arizona State (4-8) 6; California (8-5) 6; Texas Tech (9-4) 5; South Florida (8-5) 4; Texas A&M (6-7) 3; Northwestern (8-5) 2; Temple (9-4) 2; Central Michigan (12-2) 1; Mississippi State (5-7) 1; Nevada (8-5) 1; Northern Illinois (7-6) 1; Southern Methodist (8-5) 1.

14th is about as good as I'd expected for Penn State in the preseason, so I can't complain there.  The rest of the Big Ten shook out about as everyone expected; I'm glad to see MSU, Northwestern, and Temple getting a few early votes, too--it never hurts to beat ranked opponents.

Of course, our ranking is only relevant for about another month; after our trip to Alabama, our spot in the rankings will be completely redetermined, for better or worse.