While CFT didn’t necessarily agree, the coaches tapped LSU as their preseason No. 1 in the USA Today poll released earlier this month.
As it turns out, we weren’t the only ones who respectfully disagree with the coaches either.
In its initial poll, the Associated Press voters tapped USC, heading into its first season post-NCAA sanctions, as its No. 1 team headed into the 2012 season. The Trojans received 25 of the 60 first-place votes, with the 35 others divvied up among defending national champion Alabama (17), 2011 BcS runner-up LSU (16) and Oklahoma and Michigan (one apiece).
The Tide, Tigers and Sooners filled out the Nos. 2-4 spots, while the Wolverines came in at No. 8.
A couple of weeks ago, however, the top of the AP poll would’ve taken on an entirely different look.The Tigers were poised to start the season No. 1 before Heisman Trophy finalist Tyrann Mathieu got kicked off the team a week ago.
In light of that development, the AP extended the voting deadline. Before Mathieu was dismissed, reportedly for failed drug tests, LSU had received 28 of a possible 60 first-place votes. USC was a close second with 22 first-place votes and Alabama was third with nine.
The remainder of the Top 10 was rounded out by Georgia (No. 6), Florida State (No. 7), South Carolina (No. 9) and Arkansas (No. 10).
As was the case in the coaches’ poll, five of the Top 10 teams were from the SEC, with a total of six (Florida, No. 23) representing the conference that has won the past six BcS titles. The Big 12 also claimed six teams in the AP’s initial poll, while the Big Ten placed five and the ACC and Pac-12 had three apiece.
A pair of current/future Big East schools were the only non-Big Five teams in the poll: No. 24 Boise State (current Mountain West member moving to the Big East in 2013) and Louisville (No. 25).