2009 USA Today/Coaches' Preseason Poll Analysis

The coaches have spoken. Or at least someone has spoken for them. 

Many people that follow college football, including myself, do not think very much at all of the coaches' poll. The coaches are often too busy to fill the poll out, so they let someone else inside the program do it for them.

Yet this poll is a large part of what decides the participants in the BCS games. 

So while I do not put much stock in these polls, and I cannot blame the busy coaches for not filling out a ballot every week, it's always fun to poke fun at the BCS system and show just how ridiculous it can be. 

Not all these rankings are ridiculous, but there are some teams that are out of place. 

1. Florida

Who can have a problem with the Gators at the top?  Florida returns all 11 starters from their powerful defense, and they say defense wins championships.

My ranking: 1

2. Texas

I like Texas at the number two slot. They beat Oklahoma last year, and return lots of talent.  It's nice to be second in the preseason, but I'm sure the 'Horns would have rather been second last year.

My ranking: 2

3. Oklahoma

The national runner up starts off at No. 3. It's not too bad considering they lose some great players from their mammoth offensive line. I'll be interested to see how Bradford handles the offense with more pressure and the loss of Iglesias.

OU might be just a bit overrated.

My ranking: 6

4. USC

The Trojans lose all that NFL talent, so how are they number four? Well, first of all it's USC. They reload year in and year out. 

Second of all, it's USC, and they are always ranked highly by everyone no matter what.  They could be a little overrated but not too much.

My ranking: 4

5. Alabama

The Crimson Tide should have one of the best defenses in the nation, and they have a talented receiver in Julio Jones. But what about the quarterback? 

I'd say this spot is about right, but if they can't get a reliable quarterback, they could leave the rankings by the end of the year.

My ranking: 5

6. Ohio State

The Buckeyes should be among the best in the Big 10 once again, with Terrelle Pryor coming back for more.  They could be a little bit underrated.

My ranking: 3

7. Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech looks to make another BCS game this year, and they have the talent to do it.

The game against Alabama could be tough though. The Hokies strength is the run game, and Alabama's is the run defense, so even if they lose that one, I believe they are still top 10 material.

My ranking: 7

8. Penn State

Daryl Clark returns to this Nittany Lions offense.  They lose two key receivers to the NFL, but they should be able to compete with Ohio State for the Big 10 title.

My ranking: 8

9. LSU

LSU was overrated last year, as they finished the year out of the polls. I said they would be an overrated team last year, and I'll say it again this year.

This spot is too high for the Tigers. 

Until they can get a solid quarterback, their offense won't be able to compete with the SEC defenses every week.  The defense won't get better by losing a great 3-4 defensive end in Tyson Jackson.

My ranking: 21

10. Mississippi

Jevan Snead will be a key performer if Ole Miss is to crash Florida's repeat championship party, but I'm not convinced that they have the all around talent to do it.  This spot might be a little high, as I do not know how they will handle the preseason expectations.

My ranking: 11

11. Oklahoma State

Zac Robinson can be as good as Bradford and McCoy in the Big 12 South. Kendall Hunter is the best running back in the Big 12. If the defense can hold up, this team could replace Texas Tech as the third contender to the Big 12 South. 

My ranking: 9

12. California

The Golden Bears have the best running back in the nation in Jahvid Best. They have a decent enough quarterback. If the defense can hold down the fort against the Pac 10 opponents, this team could take USC at home.

My ranking: 10

13. Georgia

Georgia could actually have a better season than last year. The lofty expectations seemed to be too much for them. Now that they aren't expected to win the SEC, they may have a better chance to do it.

My ranking: 12

14. Oregon

The Oregon offense should be stellar, and if the defense can get better, they do deserve this spot. But I am not so sure it will get a whole lot better.

My ranking: 15

15. Georgia Tech

Paul Johnson's option attack should be even more lethal with more experience with the system. I think they are a little underrated at 15.

My ranking: 13

16. Boise State

The Broncos lose a big name in Ian Johnson, but it's really not as big of a deal as it seems with good runners behind him. The quarterback will improve and they certainly deserve this spot.

My ranking: 14

17. TCU

Another smaller conference team in the top 20? Looks like the coaches didn't just vote for all of the traditional powers. TCU should be able to compete for the MWC championship once again.

My ranking: 16

18. Utah

The Utes are coming off of an undefeated season and lots of BCS snubbing drama. They lose Brian Johnson, but if they can find a decent replacement, they aren't too far off of this spot. 

My ranking: 20

19. Florida State

Florida State got some votes because they are Florida State.  But they could finally be back to a top 20 caliber team in the regular season polls.

My ranking: 19

20. North Carolina

The Tar Heels lose some great receiving talent from last year, and their offense might not be as good.

My ranking: 24

21. Iowa

They lose running back Shonn Greene, but the passing game could be better. The defense should be pretty good too. This spot is pretty close I would say.

My ranking: 22

22. Nebraska

The Huskers should have a good rushing attack, but the passing game is in question and I don't know if the Blackshirts are really back yet. They got some votes just because they are Nebraska.

My ranking: None

23. Notre Dame

This is the most ridiculous ranking in this poll.

The Irish did absolutely nothing last year to prove they belong, yet because they are Notre Dame, they make the top 25. 

They have a fairly easy schedule, but even if they can win against a lot of them, that doesn't prove they are top 25 caliber. 

They can be in the top 25 when they beat USC or when they go 11-1 or 10-2 against a schedule like this, not like last year's 6-6. 

I got ripped by some people last year for predicting a bad year for the Irish because of their easy schedule. They went 6-6. I'd say that's a very bad year for the Irish.

My ranking: Haha, beat USC and then we'll talk about a ranking.

24. Brigham Young

Max Hall is a great quarterback and could bring the Cougars a Mountain West Championship.  I feel they are underrated, and could compete with Oklahoma in the opening game.

My ranking: 18

25. Oregon State

They lose a great target in Sammie Stroughter, but Rodgers should keep the run game rolling. I think they deserve a top 25 consideration.

My ranking: 25

Now that the coaches' poll has been analyzed, I'll fill in my rankings that were left out.

17. Kansas

The Jayhawks have a tough schedule, but even if their record doesn't show it, they deserve this spot. The offense should be great, and the defense should be good enough.

23. Cincinnati

The Big East got a slap in the face from the USA Today Poll, but the Bearcats should be able to crack the top 25.

I also considered (in order) Texas Tech, Illinois, West Virginia, Missouri, Nevada, Central Michigan, and Houston.