USA Today 2012 Preseason Poll: 7 Teams Who Were Screwed in the Rankings

The USA Today Preseason coaches poll has been released and there are a number of surprises. Seven teams got absolutely screwed in the latest rankings, while others may have earned an unexpected bump. 

Preseason polls are a fun piece of the college game that some argue needs to go away, but the speculation always brings fuel to the awesome fire that surrounds college football every single year. 

The fans of these next seven teams will likely be ones to argue against the need for the preseason poll; they look to have an argument.

Washington Huskies: Unranked

Did someone forget to watch a replay of the Alamo Bowl in the offeseason? It appears that a few coaches missed the record-setting performance that was put on by then-sophomore Keith Price. Price produced seven touchdowns, breaking an NCAA record. 

By season's end, Price had set three single-season records for Washington—touchdown passes, quarterback rating and completion percentage. The Huskies offense under Steve Sarkisian and Price at the helm is very dangerous and obviously under-appreciated. 

Outside of Price, the Huskies have a strong supporting cast offensively with a veteran offensive line and a strong receiving corps. Running back will have some questions with the departure of three time 1,000-yard rusher Chris Polk, but there is enough talent on the roster that a by-committee approach will work.

The Huskies will be equally formidable on defense, returning a number of players from last year’s squad. Washington runs the 3-4 defense which relies heavily on linebacker play—something that favors this Huskies team.

There are some questions along the line, but overall the Huskies have a good squad heading into the 2012 season. The Huskies face LSU in Week 2 and Oregon and USC back-to-back in October, but if the Huskies win one of those games, they have a shot at finishing well within the top 25. 

Kansas State Wildcats: No. 21

The Kansas State Wildcats may have finished the 2011 season on a low note with the loss to Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl, but the Wildcats return a hungry offense full of experienced leaders. 

Collin Klein is back at quarterback and the Wildcats return every playmaker at the skill positions. Running back is stocked with experience, but production from Klein in the running game will be expected. 

The Wildcats return talent at receiver—including Chris Harper—but last year saw a severe lack of production from the position. Questions do hang over the offensive line as well, but a solid core on the interior should help the Wildcats produce on the ground early. 

Defensively the Wildcats return virtually every starter from a year ago. The Wildcats do lose David Garrett at the cornerback position, but the secondary is full of upperclassmen and should be in good hands being led by senior Nigel Malone.

The Wildcats start the season relatively soft with a tough third week contest against Oklahoma in Norman being the lone away game in the first four weeks. The Wildcats have five home games in the first eight weeks of the season.

Kansas State is ranked No. 21 in the first USA Today poll, but Texas landing at No. 15 and West Virginia landing at No. 11 could leave Kansas State fans wondering where the love is.

Louisville Cardinals: Unranked

Louisville is by far the biggest miss on the current USA Today poll. Louisville is getting no love heading into the 2012 season from the coaches as they find themselves outside of the top 25.

Louisville finished the 2011 season with mediocre results, but the Cardinals return a ton of playmakers on both sides of the ball and are lined up to take the Big East conference this season.

The strength of this Louisville squad will be the defense, returning three of four starters along the defensive line and two lockdown corners in the secondary. The Cardinals will have a very nasty pass rush and will be dangerous in the deep third of the defense.

Questions do hang over the linebacker corps—losing Dexter Heyman will hurt production—but there are a lot of talented upperclassmen on hand that are prepared to fill in. Look for big numbers from Preston Brown and Daniel Brown this season.

Offensively, the Cardinals return surprise stud Teddy Bridgewater and virtually every major receiving threat from a year ago. The Cardinals also have a host of running backs that will get shared carries, keeping the rushing yards churning from fresh legs. 

If there is a question offensively, it is along the line where three sophomores are scheduled to take snaps, but overall the unit should be strong. With the schedule looking very favorable for the Cardinals, it is a surprise to see them outside the top 25 to start the year.

Wisconsin Badgers: No. 12

Screwed at No. 12? Yep, Wisconsin got screwed with the No. 12 ranking they landed to open the season. 

The Badgers lost a key component of the offense with the graduation of Russell Wilson, but the Badgers return Heisman-hopeful Montee Ball and a strong offensive line presence again this year. 

At quarterback, the Badgers landed transfer Danny O’Brien from Maryland and have possibly settled on O’Brien as the starter. There is an ongoing competition with Joel Stave and Joe Brennan pushing for time, but the offense will likely rest with O’Brien.

At receiver, the Badgers have question marks with the top two options leaving for the pros after 2011, but there is talent available for the quarterback to make plays with this fall. Wisconsin will rely on the rushing attack early, letting the passing attack slowly develop as needed. 

The defense has only one shortfall—the defensive line—but returns possibly the best linebacker corps in the country. The defensive backfield will be very dangerous as well with Dezmen Southward and Shelton Johnson leading from the safety positions.

The Badgers face Nebraska on the road to finish the month of September, but don’t have another tough contest until the last week of October when they host Michigan State. With this year’s schedule and talent returning, Wisconsin is too low at No. 12. 

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets: Unranked

Georgia Tech will start the season unranked. The Yellow Jackets tend to carry an underdog mentality, so it may not come as a surprise but this team is too good to be overlooked heading into the 2012 season.

The Yellow Jackets have questions heading into fall camp that surround the quarterback position, but the remaining units are pretty set. The offensive line is one of the best in the ACC this season and the running backs are experienced and tough.

The Yellow Jackets did lose their top two receivers, but there was a lack of production through the air last season anyway—not much will be missed. If the Yellow Jackets can add yardage through the air this year, the offense will be very dangerous.

The defense for Georgia Tech returns experience along the defensive line and a host of talented defenders at linebacker. Jeremiah Attaochu is the leader of the defense from linebacker and will be asked to improve on his stellar 2011 season.

The secondary may be the best in the ACC by season's end, placing the Georgia Tech defense at the top of the conference. With a schedule that is very favorable, the Yellow Jackets are poised to exceed these meek preseason expectations. 

BYU Cougars: Unranked

BYU will enter its second season as an independent this fall looking to continue the growth of the Cougar brand nationwide. The Cougars are not strong contenders for a blowout season, but they are better than their non-ranked status insinuates. 

The Cougars won 10 games last season to the surprise of most and they will look to match that record again this season. Riley Nelson is back at quarterback and is a proven winner. The Cougars have decent running backs and playmakers at receiver for Nelson to get the ball to.

The big question offensively will be the offensive line, but the Cougars have a good start to the season with Weber State at home to shake out those kinks. 

Defensively the Cougars have a decent front line, but the strength will be linebacker and the secondary. The Cougars are good enough defensively to allow for the offense to sputter at times, but that won’t last through a schedule that has Notre Dame, Georgia Tech and Boise State on it.

Overall, the Cougars have a shot at being a nine- to 10-win team if everything falls into place. The experience that returns and a schedule that isn’t terrible should grant them an invite into the top 25.

Clemson Tigers: No. 14

Clemson is the defending ACC champion heading into the 2012 season, returning virtually every skill position player on offense and a host of defenders for the coming year, but are still ranked below conference challenger Florida State—who is way over-ranked by the way. 

Clemson did get smoked to finish the season by a dangerous West Virginia squad, but the Tigers return the entire offense that set the world on fire last season. The one glaring hole is the offensive line—it lost all five starters after 2011. 

Despite the major loss along the line, the Clemson offense should be strong this year. The Tigers have possibly the most dangerous receiving corps heading into the season led by sophomore Sammy Watkins. 

On defense, the Tigers return three seniors to the secondary and a host of playmakers at linebacker. Up front the Tigers have a talented defense, but they are not the most experienced unit, leading to concerns for the defense. 

If Clemson can find continuity along the offensive and defensive lines early, there will be another special season around the corner. The Tigers start the season tough with Auburn in Atlanta, but have two floppers before a big stretch against Florida State and Boston College. If Clemson handles the Seminoles in Week 3, my point will be well made.

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