Coaches poll loaded with SEC schools at the top

Published 9:40 pm Thursday, August 1, 2013

Another season.

More projected dominance by the SEC.

No doubt, the increasing monotony of seven straight national titles didn’t steer the nation’s coaches from the flagship conference. That’s because in the USA Today Preseason Coaches Poll, released Thursday, the SEC garnered five spots in the top 10 and six overall.

Expect the SEC haters to line up, yet again.

As expected, topping the poll is two-time defending national champion Alabama, which received 58 of 62 first-place votes and appears primed for another run under the growing legend that is Nick Saban. The Crimson Tide return 12 starters — despite losing three players to the top 10 of the NFL draft — from last season’s 13-1 team, including the nation’s most decorated quarterback — when it comes to titles, that is — in third-year starter A.J. McCarron.

Sitting at No. 5 is Georgia, which begins the season with one of the nation’s toughest opening two weeks — on the road against eighth-ranked Clemson and at home against No. 7 South Carolina. During that stretch, the Bulldogs have the opportunity to prove themselves a considerable amount.

Coming in at No. 6 is Texas A&M, which stormed into the national spotlight last fall during its inaugural run through the SEC and brings back the reigning Heisman Trophy winner. However, second-year head coach Kevin Sumlin has needed to address key losses on the offensive line and at linebacker.

Meanwhile, South Carolina brings back the nation’s most feared player in defensive end Jadeveon Clowney — among other standouts, of course — and No. 10 Florida proved it could play with anyone last year, evidenced by wins against Texas A&M and LSU en route to finishing 11-2 overall and 7-1 in the SEC under Will Muschamp.

Until another conference steps up and delivers the first non-SEC national title since Vince Young-led Texas beat USC in the 2006 Rose Bowl, the SEC will continue to control the college football rankings.

What are your thoughts on the USA Today Preseason Coaches Poll?

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USA Today Top 25 Coaches Poll

The USA Today Top 25 football coaches preseason poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, 2012 records, total points based on 25 points for first place through one point for 25th, and ranking in final 2012 poll:

RecordPtsPvsNote

1. Alabama (58)13-11,5451Beat Notre Dame 42-14 in national championship game; 12 returning starters

2. Ohio State (3)12-01,427NRPostseason ban last year; 13 returning starters

3. Oregon12-11,3972Beat Kansas State 35-17 in Fiesta Bowl; 16 starters returning

4. Stanford12-21,2626Beat Wisconsin 20-14 in Rose Bowl; 18 returning starters

5. Georgia12-21,2504Beat Nebraska 45-31 in Capital One Bowl; 15 returning starters

6. Texas A&M (1)11-21,2155Beat Oklahoma 41-13 in Cotton Bowl; 13 returning starters

7. South Carolina11-21,1367Beat Michigan 33-28 in Outback Bowl; 11 returning starters

8. Clemson11-21,0479Beat LSU 25-24 in Chick-fil-A Bowl; 13 returning starters

9. Louisville11-21,01013Beat Florida 33-23 in Sugar Bowl; 17 returning starters

10. Florida11-293010Lost to Louisville 33-23 in Sugar Bowl; 9 returning starters

11. Notre Dame12-18723Lost to Alabama 42-12 in national championship game; 13 returning starters

12. Florida State12-28448Beat Northern Illinois 31-10 in Orange Bowl; 11 returning starters

13. LSU10-379712Lost to Clemson 25-24 in Chick-fil-A Bowl; 12 returning starters

14. Oklahoma State8-5726NRBeat Purdue 58-14 in Heart of Dallas Bowl; 15 returning starters

15. Texas9-462218Beat Oregon State 31-27 in Alamo Bowl; 19 returning starters

16. Oklahoma10-362015Lost to Texas A&M 41-13 in Cotton Bowl; 11 returning starters

17. Michigan8-5589NRLost to South Carolina 33-28 in Outback Bowl; 12 returning starters

18. Nebraska10-442623Lost to Georgia 45-31 in Capital One Bowl; 12 returning starters

19. Boise State11-242014Beat Washington 28-26 in Maaco Bowl Las Vegas; 12 returning starters

20. TCU7-6400NRLost to Michigan State 17-16 in Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl; 17 returning starters

21. UCLA9-5202NRLost to Baylor 49-26 in Holiday Bowl; 14 returning starters

22. Northwestern10-318616Beat Mississippi State 34-20 in Gator Bowl; 15 returning starters

23. Wisconsin8-6172NRLost to Stanford 20-14 in Rose Bowl; 15 returning starters

24. Southern Cal7-6165NRLost to Georgia Tech 21-7 in Sun Bowl; 16 returning starters

25. Oregon State9-413519Lost to Texas 31-27 in Alamo Bowl; 15 returning start

Others receiving votes: Kansas State 113; Miami (Fla.) 101; Michigan State 89; Baylor 80; Virginia Tech 65; Fresno State 62; Arizona State 51; Mississippi 32; Vanderbilt 29; Utah State 23; Brigham Young 20; North Carolina 19; Northern Illinois 19; Tulsa 9; Ohio 8; San Jose State 8; Arizona 5; Cincinnati 3; East Carolina 3; Kent State 3; Mississippi State 3; Washington 3; Central Florida 2; Arkansas 1; Arkansas State 1; Rutgers 1; Tennessee 1; Toledo 1.