Preseason College Football Rankings 2016: Date and Predictions for Amway Poll
It's August, which means college football is right around the corner. That also means college football polls are right around the corner, with the Amway Coaches Poll among them.
Below, we'll break down the release date for the poll, offer some predictions and break down a few of the nation's top teams.
Release
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Thursday, August 4
Predictions
| 1 | Alabama |
| 2 | Clemson |
| 3 | Oklahoma |
| 4 | Michigan |
| 5 | Florida State |
| 6 | LSU |
| 7 | Ohio State |
| 8 | Tennessee |
| 9 | Notre Dame |
| 10 | Stanford |
| 11 | Houston |
| 12 | Michigan State |
| 13 | Ole Miss |
| 14 | Baylor |
| 15 | USC |
| 16 | TCU |
| 17 | Georgia |
| 18 | Oregon |
| 19 | Oklahoma State |
| 20 | Washington |
| 21 | Iowa |
| 22 | Louisville |
| 23 | Miami |
| 24 | UCLA |
| 25 | North Carolina |
Analysis
It's hard to bet against Alabama at this point. Winning four of the past seven national titles will do that for a program. So will six straight top-ranked recruiting classes.
Yes, there are questions. Who will play quarterback? Will the offensive line be as dominant, and will anybody replace Derrick Henry's impact on the offense? Will the defense's top seven be as dominant? How big of an adjustment will the defense face with new coordinator Jeremy Pruitt? Can the team survive road tests against Ole Miss, Tennessee and LSU and a neutral-field battle against USC?
But Alabama always has more answers than questions.
Calvin Ridley, ArDarius Stewart and O.J. Howard give the Crimson Tide excellent receiving options, perhaps the best in the nation. Cam Robinson anchors a strong offensive line. Reuben Foster, Jonathan Allen, Eddie Jackson, Da’Shawn Hand, Tim Williams, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Marlon Humphrey and Ryan Anderson highlight a deep defense.
As Gordon McGuinness of Pro Football Focus noted, the Crimson Tide should still be the favorite in the SEC, at the very least:
"There’s a lot of hype around Tennessee in the SEC this year, and while they deserve that hype and might very well wind up being the best team in the conference, right now there’s nothing to suggest that they are a better team than Alabama. The defending national champions are loaded from front to back on defense, and there’s enough talent at wide receiver to create big plays on offense and be a very strong team once again.
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In other words, it should be business as usual.
Clemson comes in at No. 2 in these projections, mostly on the back of what could be the best offense in college football. Quarterback Deshaun Watson will be a Heisman Trophy front-runner, Mitch Hyatt highlights the team's sturdy offensive line, Mike Williams, Deon Cain, Jordan Leggett and Artavis Scott provide a dangerous cadre of receivers, and running back Wayne Gallman should have a huge season.
The defense lost a lot of talent, but Clemson's offense may be unstoppable. And it all revolves around Watson.
"Deshaun is one of those quarterbacks who come 'round every few years," Florida State running back Dalvin Cook told Ava Wallace of the Washington Post. "A great player. Make plays that you don’t see on a daily basis. He’s one of those nightmares that defensive coordinators stay up at night for. He’s a great player. Great guy, too."
Cook will keep Florida State in contention for an ACC title and national championship, of course, as the Clemson-Florida State rivalry hums along for another season. Oklahoma, Michigan, Ohio State, LSU and Tennessee are all title threats as well.
But once again, Alabama is the team to beat as the Roll Tide dynasty rolls on.
You can follow Timothy Rapp on Twitter.
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