2010 USA Today Preseason Coaches' Poll: 10 Things Coaches Got Wrong
The Alabama Crimson Tide are ranked No. 1 in the newly released USA Today 2010 Coaches Poll.
Alabama won 55 out of 59 possible first-place votes.
After last season's National Championship and another strong team headlined by Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram returning, there's really no argument for why Alabama doesn't deserve this spot at the top of the rankings.
But here are 10 things that the coaches got wrong...
Not Enough Love for Boise State
1 of 10
With most of its starters coming back for another run, this Broncos team is once again poised to be a strong contender.
Last season this team went undefeated, 14-0. Say what you want to say, this team is not overrated. They are legitimate.
According to USA Today, Boise State was voted as high as second by six coaches, but there are still doubts since the Broncos do not play in any of the six major conferences.
They have earned the right to be ranked higher than No. 5.
Which brings me to the next slide...
Too Much Love for Florida
2 of 10
Surely they should be ranked higher than the Florida Gators.
They are now a Tim Tebow-less team with new quarterback John Brantley and seven new defensive starters.
Once again, the Gators should be a formidable team with a lot of talent. But they do get a lot of love because they play in the SEC.
Where Did Florida State Come From?
3 of 10
This is a Seminoles team that no longer has Bobby Bowden.
It has a new coach and new defensive scheme.
After being unranked last season, now Florida State is ranked No. 20 in the poll.
New head coach Jimbo Fisher did all the right things this offseason by building the confidence of his fanbase.
But a questionable defense and an unproven team earning a No. 20 ranking might just be too hopeful.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Three Big 12 Teams in the Top 10?
4 of 10
Three Big 12 teams in the Top 10? That's more than the SEC or the Big Ten.
Texas played in the National Championship Game last season and rightfully deserves to be in the Top 5, some can even argue that it should be ranked higher than No. 4.
But Oklahoma and Nebraska both being in the Top 10 deserves to be rethought.
Perhaps it's an early going away present for Nebraska, who will be moving to the Big 10 next year.
Oregon State Ranked?
5 of 10
Oregon State is playing in a very formidable Pac-10.
The Beavers have a new starting quarterback in Ryan Katz and only one experienced receiver in James Rodgers. They are counting on the fact that Katz can live up to his billing and will be able to gel with his other young receivers.
As proven in the last two seasons Quizz Rodgers and the Beavers running game has a tendency to take a nosedive later in the year.
Two of the three games they'll start the season with are against heavyweights TCU and Boise State.
It's Katz or nothing for the Beavers; they have no other experienced QBs behind him. It could be an exciting season ahead. But ranked No. 22?
Oklahoma at No. 8
6 of 10
Oklahoma finished last season 8-5 and found itself well outside the Top 25.
There's simply a lot of love from the coaches for this historic program. This team struggled with its health last season but now finds itself ranked No. 8 in the coaches' poll.
That's pretty high for a team that lost Sam Bradford and has yet to prove that it can be as good as people think it can be on the field.
Ode to Coach Paterno
7 of 10
This ranking must be more of a show of respect to Joe Paterno than anything else.
The Nittany Lions are facing a lot of uncertainty this season after losing some of their top starters from last year.
Gone are Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Jared Odrick and starting quarterback Daryll Clark.
With the quarterback position still undecided and a challenging schedule up ahead, the coaches have ranked the Lions at No. 14.
Oregon the Pac-10 Faves
8 of 10
Gone is Jeremiah Masoli, the quarterback responsible for leading the Ducks to the Pac-10 title last season.
He's a giant loss for the team. Now the question is: Can its new quarterback Nate Costa or Darron Thomas fit into the offensive scheme as well as Masoli did?
Early polls have chosen the Ducks to repeat as the Pac-10 champions because of their high-powered running game and talented roster.
Once again, however, the Pac-10 is stacked with great teams and with quarterback question marks still looming a No. 11 ranking is premature.
Wisconsin Badgers Offense
9 of 10
This team needs to be slotted in at a higher spot at the expense of either Nebraska, Oklahoma, or Oregon.
The Ohio State Buckeyes are still deserving favorites for winning the Big Ten, but at No. 12 the Badgers just aren't getting enough recognition.
They have a very exciting and potent offense capable of scoring in bunches, led by quarterback Scott Tolzien and tailback John Clay.
Defense is their glaring weakness, but with the ability to score on tough Big Ten opponents their defensive shortcomings might be able to be masked.
Georgia Is in the Top 25?
10 of 10
Lots of unknowns. But the Georgia Bulldogs are ranked at No. 21 in the coaches' poll.
That has to be an oversight.
The Bulldogs are learning a new defense and are putting the ball in the hands of redshirt freshman Aaron Murray.
They do still have talent at receiver with A.J. Green and tailback Washaun Ealey, but their experience might not be enough to overcome in case the new defense and the young QB have a hard time adjusting in the tough SEC conference.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
