2010 USA Today Preseason Coaches Poll: Does Florida Deserve to Be No. 3?

College Football preseason polls often amount to nothing more than a popularity contest. The 2010 USA Today Coaches Poll released Friday morning was certainly no exception.

Despite losing key players from both sides of the ball, Florida checked in at No. 3 in the USA Today Poll. The loss of Tim Tebow, Joe Hayden and Aaron Hernandez wasn't enough to deter voters from placing the Gators in the top-5

Here's a look at why the Gators are undeserving of a No. 3 ranking:

No. 1: The Loss Of Several Stars

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GAINESVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 17: Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Florida Gators runs against the University of Arkansas Razorbacks October 17, 2009 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Urban Meyer isn't in rebuilding mode, but he certainly has considerable retooling to do.

The Gators had nine players selected in the 2010 NFL Draft. Along with Tim Tebow, Florida will need to replace a lock-down cornerback, both starting defensive ends, and arguably the best tight end in college football last season.

Other losses include emotional leader Brandon Spikes and All-American center Maurkice Pouncey.

The replacements are heavy on talent but light on experience, which could certainly produce some bumps in the road early on.

The Gators have plenty of upside heading into the season, but also have some major questions to answer.

No 2: Can John Brantley Play?

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GAINESVILLE, FL - APRIL 10: Quarterback John Brantley #12 of the Florida Gators drops back to pass during the Orange & Blue game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on April 10, 2010 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

Florida's success is predicated on the play of the quarterback in Urban Meyer's system. For all of his accolades coming out of high school, Brantley has played sparingly during his first two seasons in Gainesville.

The talent is unmistakable, but it's difficult to predict the results of a largely unproven player at such a key position.

In addition to Brantley's inexperience, the Gators will need Deonte Thompson and Andre DeBose to play up to their potential.

Hernandez's role in the offense as the primary third-down target will need to be filled.

Suddenly, the questions are beginning to pile up.

No. 3: The Mystery Behind The Voting Criteria

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GAINESVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 17: Coach Urban Meyer of the Florida Gators directs play against the University of Arkansas Razorbacks October 17, 2009 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

The idea behind preseason polls is to forecast where the team ranks heading into the season, not where the team will sit at the end of the year.

How in the world do voters do this?

The most obvious answer is by looking at the final results of last season and ignoring what happens after the final snap, from departed players to incoming recruits.

Judging from lofty perches of Florida and Texas in the 2010 preseason poll, the voters aren't concerned about players needing to replaced or inexperience at key positions.

Those latter two factors are critical in determining how the team will fare heading into the season. They are also difficult to determine, which is evidently why they are overlooked.

No. 4: There Is A More Worthy Candidate For No. 3

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 04: Quarterback Kellen Moore #11 of the Boise State Broncos looks over to his sideline in the second half against the TCU Horned Frogs during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 4, 2010 in Glen

Boise State slaughtered TCU in the Fiesta Bowl in January and finished the season ranked fourth in the USA Today Coaches Poll.

Despite returning 21 starters, including Kellen Moore and his top wide receivers, the Broncos dropped a spot from last year and are ranked fifth in the 2010 preseason rankings.

Confused?

Frankly, the Broncos should have moved up a spot instead of falling behind two teams with plenty of questions.

No. 5: Is This Really a Preseason Poll?

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MIAMI - JANUARY 08: Percy Harvin #1 of the Florida Gators celebrates with quarterback Tim Tebow #15 during the FedEx BCS National Championship Game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Dolphin Stadium on January 8, 2009 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Donald Mi

Looking at the rankings, it's clear that the votes are cast based on potential that will determine where the teams finish at the end of the season.

There is simply no other explanation to Florida and Texas being ranked in the top-5. Both the Gators and the Longhorns have talented recruits eager to get on the field. Both teams have high ceilings and tremendous depth.

There is a good chance that Florida will be a top-5 team at the end of the season. Aside from a trip to Tuscaloosa in early October and a meeting with Florida State in late November, Florida has a fairly easy schedule in 2010.

Assuming John Brantley is able to run the offense effectively, the Gators could make it through the season with one or two losses.

In many ways, it's much easier to use potential to forecast where the teams will be than determine where there are now.

It's also easier to believe that Florida will be more deserving of a top-5 ranking at the end of the season than before the unproven Gators' take the field.