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.
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