In our second glimpse of a pecking order in terms of how the nation views college football this season, the initial AP Poll for the 2018 season was released today.
While pre-season rankings don't always mean much, a higher ranking early on can be favorable when jockeying for position at the end of the season. Considering the last impression anyone had of the Canes was losing three straight to end last season, putting a damper on Mark Richt's electric second year with UM, Miami made out pretty favorably in the pre-season rankings, slotting in at #8 overall, same as last month's pre-season Coaches Poll. It's Miami's first top 10 ranking to start the season since 2006, when Larry Coker was at the reigns of the program.
This also means Miami's first matchup of the season is set and they will officially be playing a ranked opponent. #8 Miami will square off against #25 LSU on Sept. 2nd in Arlington, Texas. The game will be shown on ABC at 7:30 ET.
Miami at #8 would make them the presumptive favorites to win the ACC Coastal according to the coaches, as Virginia Tech is the next highest divisional opponent at #20. However, the coaches have chosen the Clemson Tigers as the favorites to win the ACC overall, slotting them at #2 in the nation. The coaches see Clemson facing off with Alabama yet again in the playoffs for a 4th straight year, with the placing of the defending champion Crimson Tide at #1 as expected.
Coming off a 7-6 season, Miami's arch-rival Florida State nabbed a #19 ranking in new head coach Willie Taggart's first season at the helm, bringing the ACC's total to 4. UCF was the next highest in-state team at #21 and also sport a new head coach in Josh Heupel. The coaches also gave a lot of respect to another new head coach, Dan Mullen and the Florida Gators. Even though UF ended last season at 4-7, the Gators are only the second team out of the rankings and are technically considered #27 in the country.
By conference, the SEC and the Big 10 actually lead the way in ranked teams to start the year in a three-way tie with 5, followed by the ACC (4), Pac 12 (4), AAC (1), Moutain West (1), and Independents (1).
2018 Pre-Season AP Poll Results
1. Alabama (42)
2. Clemson (18)
3. Georgia
4. Wisconsin (1)
5. Ohio State
6. Washington
7. Oklahoma
8. Miami
9. Auburn
10. Penn State
11. Michigan State
12. Notre Dame
13. Stanford
14. Michigan
15. USC
16. TCU
17. West Virginia
18. Mississippi State
19. Florida State
20. Virginia Tech
21. UCF
22. Boise State
23. Texas
24. Oregon
25. LSU
Others receiving votes: South Carolina 96, Florida 68, Utah 60, Oklahoma St. 51, FAU 38, Arizona 28, NC State 22, Texas A&M 21, Boston College 18, Northwestern 13, Kansas St. 10, Iowa St. 8, Houston 6, Memphis 3, Troy 2, Iowa 2, Kentucky 1, Arkansas St. 1, Fresno St. 1.
While pre-season rankings don't always mean much, a higher ranking early on can be favorable when jockeying for position at the end of the season. Considering the last impression anyone had of the Canes was losing three straight to end last season, putting a damper on Mark Richt's electric second year with UM, Miami made out pretty favorably in the pre-season rankings, slotting in at #8 overall, same as last month's pre-season Coaches Poll. It's Miami's first top 10 ranking to start the season since 2006, when Larry Coker was at the reigns of the program.
This also means Miami's first matchup of the season is set and they will officially be playing a ranked opponent. #8 Miami will square off against #25 LSU on Sept. 2nd in Arlington, Texas. The game will be shown on ABC at 7:30 ET.
Miami at #8 would make them the presumptive favorites to win the ACC Coastal according to the coaches, as Virginia Tech is the next highest divisional opponent at #20. However, the coaches have chosen the Clemson Tigers as the favorites to win the ACC overall, slotting them at #2 in the nation. The coaches see Clemson facing off with Alabama yet again in the playoffs for a 4th straight year, with the placing of the defending champion Crimson Tide at #1 as expected.
Coming off a 7-6 season, Miami's arch-rival Florida State nabbed a #19 ranking in new head coach Willie Taggart's first season at the helm, bringing the ACC's total to 4. UCF was the next highest in-state team at #21 and also sport a new head coach in Josh Heupel. The coaches also gave a lot of respect to another new head coach, Dan Mullen and the Florida Gators. Even though UF ended last season at 4-7, the Gators are only the second team out of the rankings and are technically considered #27 in the country.
By conference, the SEC and the Big 10 actually lead the way in ranked teams to start the year in a three-way tie with 5, followed by the ACC (4), Pac 12 (4), AAC (1), Moutain West (1), and Independents (1).
2018 Pre-Season AP Poll Results
1. Alabama (42)
2. Clemson (18)
3. Georgia
4. Wisconsin (1)
5. Ohio State
6. Washington
7. Oklahoma
8. Miami
9. Auburn
10. Penn State
11. Michigan State
12. Notre Dame
13. Stanford
14. Michigan
15. USC
16. TCU
17. West Virginia
18. Mississippi State
19. Florida State
20. Virginia Tech
21. UCF
22. Boise State
23. Texas
24. Oregon
25. LSU
Others receiving votes: South Carolina 96, Florida 68, Utah 60, Oklahoma St. 51, FAU 38, Arizona 28, NC State 22, Texas A&M 21, Boston College 18, Northwestern 13, Kansas St. 10, Iowa St. 8, Houston 6, Memphis 3, Troy 2, Iowa 2, Kentucky 1, Arkansas St. 1, Fresno St. 1.
