You know the college football season is just around the corner when some of the major polls release their preseason rankings. That’s what we have today with the initial release of the 2023 USA TODAY Sports AFCA Preseason Coaches poll.
As expected, Ohio State is fairly highly ranked, and among the top ten, but the Buckeyes checked in a little lower than what many probably anticipated. These preseason polls can be taken with a grain of salt because we really don’t know exactly how a team will put all of the pieces together and play upon breaking the seal for real on the season.
And with the Buckeyes replacing C.J. Stroud at quarterback, and having to reload on the offensive line while still figuring things out on defense, well — there is pause for concern.
Here’s how the top ten of the USA TODAY Coaches Poll looks with a complete view of the top 25 at the bottom.
No. 10 - Tennessee Volunteers
Poll Details
Poll Points | 991
First Place Votes | 0
Last season’s final ranking | No. 6
No. 9 - Clemson Tigers
Poll Details
Poll Points | 1078
First Place Votes | 0
Last season’s final ranking | No. 12
No. 8 - Florida State Seminoles
Poll Details
Poll Points | 1145
First Place Votes | 0
Last season’s final ranking | No. 10
No. 7 - Penn State Nittany Lions
Poll Details
Poll Points | 1181
First Place Votes | 0
Last season’s final ranking | No. 7
No. 6 - USC Trojans
Poll Details
Poll Points | 1228
First Place Votes | 0
Last season’s final ranking | No. 13
No. 5 - LSU Tigers
Poll Details
Poll Points | 1294
First Place Votes | 0
Last season’s final ranking | No. 15
No. 4 - Ohio State Buckeyes
Poll Details
Poll Points | 1485
First Place Votes | 1
Last season’s final ranking | No. 4
No. 3 - Alabama Crimson Tide
Poll Details
Poll Points | 1489
First Place Votes | 4
Last season’s final ranking | No. 5
No. 2 - Michigan Wolverines
Poll Details
Poll Points | 1510
First Place Votes | 0
Last season’s final ranking | No. 3
No. 1 - Georgia Bulldogs
Poll Details
Poll Points | 1643
First Place Votes | 61
Last season’s final ranking | No. 1
NEXT … The Rest of the Poll
The Complete Preseason USA TODAY Coaches Poll
USA TODAY AFCA Preseason Coaches Poll
| Rank | Team | Record | Points | Change |
| 1 | Georgia | 0-0 | 1,643 (61) | – |
| 2 | Michigan | 0-0 | 1,510 | – |
| 3 | Alabama | 0-0 | 1,489 (4) | – |
| 4 | Ohio State | 0-0 | 1,485(1) | – |
| 5 | LSU | 0-0 | 1,294 | – |
| 6 | USC | 0-0 | 1,228 | – |
| 7 | Penn State | 0-0 | 1,181 | – |
| 8 | Florida State | 0-0 | 1,145 | – |
| 9 | Clemson | 0-0 | 1,078 | – |
| 10 | Tennessee | 0-0 | 991 | – |
| 11 | Washington | 0-0 | 941 | – |
| 12 | Texas | 0-0 | 848 | – |
| 13 | Notre Dame | 0-0 | 841 | – |
| 14 | Utah | 0-0 | 839 | – |
| 15 | Oregon | 0-0 | 820 | – |
| 16 | TCU | 0-0 | 655 | – |
| 17 | Kansas State | 0-0 | 440 | – |
| 18 | Oregon State | 0-0 | 365 | – |
| 19 | Oklahoma | 0-0 | 320 | – |
| 20 | UNC | 0-0 | 315 | – |
| 21 | Wisconsin | 0-0 | 309 | – |
| 22 | Miss | 0-0 | 303 | – |
| 23 | Tulane | 0-0 | 225 | – |
| 24 | Texas Tech | 0-0 | 200 | – |
| 25 | Texas A&M | 0-0 | 196 | – |
Others Receiving Votes
Iowa 169; South Carolina 89; Florida 63; Texas-San Antonio 59; Pittsburgh 52; UCLA 42; Kentucky 34; Baylor 28; Troy 25; Arkansas 20; NC State 19; Fresno State 19; Boise State 18; Auburn 18; Minnesota 16; Miami 16; Mississippi State 13; Oklahoma State 12; Missouri 11; Maryland 10; Southern Methodist 8; South Alabama 8; Illinois 7; Wake Forest 6; Air Force 6; Toledo 5; Washington State 4; Houston 3; Duke 2; Brigham Young 2; Arizona 2; Memphis 1; Kansas 1; James Madison 1.
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