College Football Preseason Rankings: Comparing AP, Amway Coaches Top 25 Polls
The 2015 Associated Press preseason Top 25 Poll was released Sunday afternoon. Coupled with the Amway Coaches Poll, we have a great idea of where the top teams stand from a national perspective.
The top four teams in each poll remain the same, which isn't a major surprise. Ohio State, TCU, Alabama and Baylor look like the early favorites to feature in the 2016 College Football Playoff.
From the No. 5 spot on, there's a bit of deviation. The Amway poll came out nearly a month prior to the AP poll. As a result, offseason injuries and other various musings certainly weren't accounted in the mix. The AP poll should (in theory) be the most up-to-date and accurate ranking of the top 25.
Interestingly enough, both polls came up with the same 25 teams (in different orders). Let's take a look and compare both polls.
No. 25
1 of 25
Amway: Tennessee
Associated Press: Tennessee
The Volunteers registered at No. 25 in both the Amway and AP polls. It's a positive sight for head coach Butch Jones and his program, which continues to evolve from a potential-laden team to one with aspirations of winning the SEC East Division.
"Our senior class [has never] had expectations like this," Jones said, according to the Knoxville News Sentinel's Dustin Dopirak. The recruiting efforts of Jones and his staff directly correlates with the hype.
It marks the first time since 2008 in which Tennessee has been ranked in the AP poll. Prior to that, the Volunteers had been ranked in every poll from 1990 to 2008.
Quarterback Joshua Dobbs will lead what should be an improved offense. The defensive line boasts arguably the best young talent of any squad in the country. Sophomore sensation Derek Barnett will look to improve upon a freshman campaign in which he accrued an eye-popping 10.0 sacks and 20.5 tackles for a loss.
The Vols beat out fellow SEC competitors Mississippi State and Texas A&M for the final spot in both polls. Tennessee narrowly edged out MSU for the final spot in the Amway poll with a two-vote advantage.
No. 24
2 of 25
Amway: Boise State
Associated Press: Missouri
Both the Broncos and Tigers appear in each of the analyzed polls.
For Boise State, early-season clashes versus Washington, BYU and Virginia could boost its ranking even further. It will lean on redshirt sophomore quarterback Ryan Finley to put up points on the blue turf monster.
The Broncos began the 2014 season ranked as the No. 41 team in the country. Perhaps even more intriguing is that head coach Bryan Harsin's team is ranked behind Arizona—the team it beat in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl.
No. 23
3 of 25
Amway: Missouri
Associated Press: Boise State
Missouri and Boise State flipped-flopped positions in the two polls. Despite finishing 11-3 in 2014, the Tigers find themselves sneaking into the top 25. It received 229 votes in the Amway poll and 219 votes in the AP poll.
With a cushy nonconference early portion of the schedule, the Tigers should steadily climb up the rankings. Linebacker Kentrell Brothers figures to lead the defense, and the likes of center Evan Boehm, running back Russell Hansbrough and quarterback Maty Mauk will be the focal points of the offense.
In terms of fellow SEC East competitors, only Georgia ranked higher (No. 9) than head coach Gary Pinkel's team.
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No. 22
4 of 25
Amway: Arizona
Associated Press: Arizona
The reigning Pac-12 South Division champions sit comfortably at No. 22 in both polls.
Head coach Rich Rodriguez's team seems to function better when expectations are lessened. Last year, the Wildcats weren't ranked in either preseason top 25 poll. In 2015, the return of young talent such as Anu Solomon and Nick Wilson likely contributes to Arizona's ranking.
Many think the Pac-12 South rivals the SEC West as being the top division in all of college football. Arizona is the fourth team from the South Division ranked in both polls, with Arizona State, UCLA and Southern Cal being the others.
No. 21
5 of 25
Amway: Stanford
Associated Press: Stanford
Similar to Pac-12 foe Arizona, Stanford is No. 21 in both polls.
The Cardinal have a real chance to make some waves in terms of rising up the polls. Early games versus Central Florida and USC will be big tests. The Cardinal will also square off versus ranked opponents in Notre Dame, UCLA, Arizona and Oregon.
This marks the fifth-straight year in which Stanford has been ranked in the preseason AP poll.
No. 20
6 of 25
Amway: Arkansas
Associated Press: Wisconsin
Irony is a funny thing in sports.
Wisconsin is ranked as the No. 20 team in the AP poll. Former head coach Bret Bielema—the current head coach at Arkansas—has the Razorbacks ranked as the No. 20 team in the Amway poll.
As for the Badgers, head coach Paul Chryst's program continues to trudge on as one of the most consistent entities in the Big Ten. Wisconsin is routinely a fixture in the polls, dating back to the days of former head coach Barry Alvarez.
The Badgers are one of three Big Ten teams ranked, with Michigan State and Ohio State being the other two. A neutral site game against Alabama to begin the season provides Wisconsin an opportunity to shoot up the polls.
No. 19
7 of 25
Amway: Oklahoma
Associated Press: Oklahoma
Head coach Bob Stoops' bunch clocks in at No. 19 in both polls. Oklahoma will be looking to bounce back from a rather pedestrian 8-5 year in 2014.
The Sooners have a big question at quarterback. Incumbent starter Trevor Knight is battling transfer Baker Mayfield for the starting gig. Fortunately for OU, they'll be carried by a strong rushing attack led by Samaje Perine and newcomer Joe Mixon.
Oklahoma's schedule isn't an easy one. An early road contest against Tennessee will be a litmus test of sorts. Both teams are relatively evenly ranked, and the Vols will want to atone for last year's 34-10 loss.
The Sooners also have games at Kansas State, Baylor and Oklahoma State but host the likes of TCU and West Virginia.
No. 18
8 of 25
Amway: Wisconsin
Associated Press: Arkansas
Bielema has the Arkansas program headed in the right direction. After going 3-9 in his first year, the head coach directed a 7-6 year in 2014—punctuated by a 31-7 victory over Texas in the Texas Bowl.
Staying true to his philosophy when he was at Wisconsin, Bielema pairs a gigantic offensive line with a strong rushing attack and a heady signal-caller. He's also afforded the luxury of an elite tight end in Hunter Henry.
It's the first time since 2010 in which Arkansas has made an appearance in the preseason AP Top 25 Poll. With the program's continued development, the Razorbacks are starting to have the look of a team no one will want to play against heading into the future.
No. 17
9 of 25
Amway: Georgia Tech
Associated Press: Ole Miss
Ole Miss figures to have one of the stingiest defenses in the country.
There is star-power on every level of the group, but the obvious headliner is defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche. The general depth is good, as is the overall athleticism. Head coach Hugh Freeze has done a tremendous job of bringing top talent to Oxford.
As is has been the case for the past few years, Ole Miss will only go as far as its quarterback play takes it. Newcomer Chad Kelly appears poised to try to lead the Rebels to a SEC West Division title.
Ole Miss is one of eight ranked SEC teams in both preseason polls. Interestingly enough, the Rebels are ranked one spot higher than they were at the start of last season in the preseason AP poll.
No. 16
10 of 25
Amway: Arizona State
Associated Press: Georgia Tech
Yellow Jackets head coach Paul Johnson's wacky and unconventional triple-option offense is a massive headache for any defensive coordinator to plan against.
Making matters much worse for the opposition, quarterback Justin Thomas is simply excellent at running the scheme.
Georgia Tech's ranking is around where many predicted it to be. Johnson's team returns 14 starters, but he also lost five of his top six running backs from last year.
The Yellow Jackets don't get the high-level recruits when compared to in-state rival Georgia or conference foe Florida State. Rarely do you see Georgia Tech sign All-American-type high school athletes.
However, Johnson and his staff do a terrific job of integrating the types of players needed to make his offense function. They're incredibly efficient and ruthless when the run game is working correctly.
No. 15
11 of 25
Amway: Ole Miss
Associated Press: Arizona State
Arizona State is a sleeper team that could not only win the South Division, but also perhaps the conference as well.
Head coach Todd Graham returns the vast majority of his team from a season ago.
Senior signal-caller Michael Bercovici will give ASU a different look with his propensity to throw the football down the field. Demario Richard and Kalen Ballage give the Sun Devils a nice one-two punch out of the backfield.
Defensively, it's not a group chock-full of household names. With that said, it's an aggressive unit with good quickness and athleticism.
Don't doubt Graham's team. Assuming it can get past a talented Texas A&M squad in the season opener, there's no question ASU can accomplish another 10-win season.
It's also quite a testament to the strength of the Pac-12 with ASU being the fourth-best team from a ranking standpoint.
No. 14
12 of 25
Amway: UCLA
Associated Press: LSU
Although LSU relies upon a litany of young players, the Tigers check in at No. 14 in the AP poll and No 13 in the Amway poll.
The core of Les Miles' team is exceptionally talented. Athletically, there's considerable ability throughout the roster. However, there's a general lack of experience, particularly on the offensive side of the ball.
The vaunted schedule will provide the Tigers with ample opportunities to move up the rankings. LSU will face off against ranked opponents in Alabama, Auburn, Arkansas and Ole Miss.
LSU is ranked in the top 15 of the AP poll for the fifth-straight season.
No. 13
13 of 25
Amway: LSU
Associated Press: UCLA
After finishing the season ranked at No. 10, the Bruins begin 2015 as the No. 13 team in the AP poll.
Head coach Jim Mora's team returns 18 starters from a team that won 10 games in 2014. It will rely upon a junior-laden class including Paul Perkins, Eddie Vanderdoes, Deon Hollins, Kenny Clark, Myles Jack, Conor McDermott, Alex Redmond and Caleb Benenoch.
UCLA's schedule features multiple ranked opponents including Stanford, Arizona, Arizona State and USC.
The Bruins notched 698 votes in the AP poll and 697 votes in the Amway poll. This accounts for UCLA's ranking as the No. 13 and No. 14 team, respectively.
No. 12
14 of 25
Amway: Clemson
Associated Press: Clemson
Clemson fans have to like their No. 12 ranking.
According to Brett McMurphy of ESPN, Clemson is in rare territory when it comes to its preseason and postseason ranking. It's the only team in the last four years to finish higher or on par with its preseason ranking. Going by this premise, the Tigers are in for a strong year.
Shaq Lawson leads a young but athletic defense. Quarterback Deshaun Watson has a plethora of fast, skilled players to utilize including Artavis Scott, Mike Williams, Charone Peake and Ray-Ray McCloud.
This could be the season in which head coach Dabo Swinney breaks through the Florida State shield. Clemson is deep and explosive on offense, and the Seminoles have to come to Death Valley with an inexperienced quarterback.
No. 11
15 of 25
Amway: Notre Dame
Associated Press: Notre Dame
The Fighting Irish are nestled right on the fringe of the top 10 in both polls, and this is the highest Notre Dame has been ranked in the preseason AP Top 25 Poll since 2006.
Expectations for this team are relatively high. A veteran defense is led by stud linebacker Jaylon Smith. A fantastic athlete, he's incredibly active and also demonstrates terrific instincts. William Fuller is a dynamic playmaker at receiver, and Ronnie Stanley is one of the better tackles in the entire country.
Notre Dame's schedule has many high-profile opponents on it. Along with the usual clashes against USC and Stanford, the Irish also play against Texas, Clemson and Georgia Tech.
No. 10
16 of 25
Amway: USC
Associated Press: Florida State
With the return of one of the nation's top quarterbacks in Cody Kessler, voters seem rather bullish on the Trojans' chances this year to potentially win the conference.
Kessler had a great year in 2014 when he threw for 39 touchdowns and only five interceptions. Kessler's poise and moxie from within the pocket turned USC's passing attack into a potent one.
There are some causes for concern when looking at Southern Cal's prospective title chances. The Trojans lost their best receiver (Nelson Agholor), leading tackler (Hayes Pullard), running back (Javorius "Buck" Allen) and best overall player (Leonard Williams) to the NFL.
While the scholarship sanctions have ended, the Trojans will still be relying on a litany of freshmen and inexperienced players to fill out the depth chart. As a result, Southern Cal could be a year away from realistically competing for a conference title.
No. 9
17 of 25
Amway: Georgia
Associated Press: Georgia
Head coach Mark Richt's team is the apparent darling of the SEC East based on each poll. Sitting as a top-10 team in both rankings, there's a buzz surrounding the program in Athens.
Running back Nick Chubb is an absolute stud in the backfield. Georgia also possesses a strong influx of incoming freshmen led by defensive tackle Trenton Thompson. Defensively, the unit should be exceptionally strong with the likes of Lorenzo Carter, Leonard Floyd and Jordan Jenkins.
Georgia has potentially the best collection of talent in the East Division. With that said, it'll need improved quarterback play in order to challenge for a conference crown. Richt is waiting for one of the three competitors—Greyson Lambert, Brice Ramsey and Faton Bauta—to win the job.
No. 8
18 of 25
Amway: Florida State
Associated Press: Southern Cal
Head coach Jimbo Fisher's program had 11 players drafted in the 2015 NFL draft and still managed to finish within the top 10 in both polls.
Florida State has a significant amount of talent to replace in a multitude of spots. With such a drastic turnover, expect some growing pains to undoubtedly exist and manifest.
There are some sneaky games on the Seminoles' schedule. Both Florida and Miami figure to be improved, and these in-state rivalry games are never easy propositions. Plus, Florida State has to go to Clemson and Georgia Tech.
There's a real chance either Clemson or Georgia Tech could knock Florida State off the top of the ACC mountain for the first time since 2011.
No. 7
19 of 25
Amway: Auburn
Associated Press: Oregon
Oregon's spot as the No. 7 team in the AP poll is somewhat fascinating. The Ducks are essentially tasked with integrating a completely new starting quarterback (Vernon Adams) in less than a month. Had Adams been eligible for the entirety of the summer, Oregon would've likely been ranked a few spots higher.
Regardless, head coach Mark Helfrich's team is the highest ranked Pac-12 squad in either poll.
The difference between each team in the AP poll is minute. Auburn bested the Ducks with only 36 votes. In the Amway poll, Oregon enjoyed an advantage of roughly 100 votes.
No. 6
20 of 25
Amway: Michigan State
Associated Press: Auburn
Auburn's inclusion as the No. 6 team in the AP poll is a bit of surprise. Last year, the Tigers lost four of its last five games, and its only win during that stretch came against Samford. Voters are seemingly optimistic about head coach Gus Malzahn's team.
With Will Muschamp taking over the defense and Jeremy Johnson solidifying the quarterback spot, there's reason for plenty of optimism within the program. The defensive line, led by Carl Lawson, Montravius Adams and newcomer Byron Cowart—should be good.
Auburn is slated to have the eighth most difficult regular-season schedule in the country. This includes the season opener against an underrated Louisville squad, road games at LSU, Arkansas and Texas A&M, and a season finale versus Alabama in the Iron Bowl.
No. 5
21 of 25
Amway: Oregon
Associated Press: Michigan State
The Amway and AP polls differ on the No. 5 spot. Fortunately for fans of college football, this debate will be settled in Week 2 of the regular season.
Oregon will travel to East Lancing to take on Michigan State on Sept. 12. This could be head coach Mark Dantonio's best team from a depth and talent standpoint. It also helps having a capable senior quarterback in Connor Cook.
This contest means a lot to the Spartans. As currently constituted, Ohio State is the only other ranked team on Michigan State's schedule. This is a massive opportunity to strengthen MSU's possible playoff resume.
No. 4
22 of 25
Amway: Baylor
Associated Press: Baylor
Head coach Art Briles' team registers as the No. 4 team in both the Amway and AP polls. Briles has brought considerable excitement to a once dilapidated program.
The No. 4 preseason ranking is the highest in program history. It's the first time in which the Bears have been featured in back-to-back preseason AP polls. Baylor's also been ranked in the AP poll for 34 straight weeks.
This explosive offense has no plans to slow down anytime soon. Baylor has four players on the preseason All Big-12 offensive team. Andrew Billings and Shawn Oakman will anchor what should be a good defensive front.
Nov. 27 in Fort Worth will be a massive day when as Baylor travels to face TCU on the road. This will undoubtedly be the biggest game in the season for both teams. It could determine not only the the conference champion, but also a participant in the College Football Playoff.
No. 3
23 of 25
Amway: Alabama
Associated Press: Alabama
Alabama sits as the SEC team with the most votes in both polls. This isn't entirely a surprise, considering the retuning talent head coach Nick Saban has at his disposal.
A'Shawn Robinson is as talented a defensive lineman as one will see on the collegiate level. Cyrus Jones and Reggie Ragland are also preseason All-SEC defense first-team selections.
Offensively, the Crimson Tide are fortified by offensive linemen Cam Robinson and Ryan Kelly and running back Derrick Henry.
There's no question Saban will want to atone for last year's loss in the semifinal to Ohio State. With Alabama's projected strength of schedule, there's no shortage of big-time tests.
This is the seventh straight season in which Alabama has been ranked in the preseason top five. To put it into context, only Florida State from 1990 to 2000 (11 years) and Ohio State from 1974 to 1981 (eight years) have had longer streaks.
No. 2
24 of 25
Amway: TCU
Associated Press: TCU
Gary Patterson has truly taken the TCU program to new heights. Ranked No. 2 in both polls, this is the highest preseason ranking in school history.
The Horned Frogs narrowly edged out Alabama for the second spot, besting the Crimson Tide by only 35 votes in the Amway poll.
The schedule sets up nicely for TCU, who gets West Virginia, Texas and, most importantly, Baylor at home. Road games to Minnesota and Oklahoma should also boost the strength of schedule factor.
Lastly, quarterback Trevone Boykin sets up shop at the starting signal-caller. Not only is he an early Heisman Trophy front-runner, but Boykin is also one of the most dynamic players in the entire country.
No. 1
25 of 25
Amway: Ohio State
Associated Press: Ohio State
Head coach Urban Meyer's team got all 61 first-place votes in the AP poll. Unsurprisingly, the reigning national champions also finished first in the Amway poll.
This marks the eight time in which an Ohio State team has held the top ranking in the AP poll. Interestingly enough, the Buckeyes have never won the national championship when ranked No. 1 in the preseason.
There's no question Ohio State should be the heavy favorite to not only reach the playoff, but also repeat as the champions. Ezekiel Elliott and Joey Bosa are two of the best players in all of college football—regardless of position.
Meyer and his staff have also done a fantastic job of loading up the roster with depth and athleticism.
The act of repeating is something Meyer will take in stride. He understands the bigger picture—something he echoed in this New York Times article: "You have to make sure everyone enjoys the journey."
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
