The first of one of the many polls that doesn’t make a spit bit of difference has been released! Woohoo?!?
Sunday morning, less than a week before the 2016 season officially kicks off, the Associated Press unveiled a preseason Top 25 poll that has a decidedly 2015 College Football Playoffs feel to it. Defending national champion Alabama has claimed the AP’s top spot, followed by national runner-up Clemson at No. 2 and semifinalist Oklahoma at No. 3.
The other 2015 playoff participant, Michigan State, will start the season at 12th.
Before we get on to the remainder of the poll, a word of warning to the Tide.SportsCenter will announce preseason AP poll at 10 a.m. ET. Last preseason AP No. 1 to finish No. 1: USC in 2004. pic.twitter.com/9pb4DYq07u
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 21, 2016
And, while we’re here, a word of warning for the Sooners as well.
The last 4 times Oklahoma began the season in the AP Top 5, the Sooners lost at least 3 games and twice finished unranked with 5 losses.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 21, 2016
Florida State and LSU, at Nos. 4 and 5, respectively, round out the Top Five. Ohio State (No. 6), Michigan (No. 7), Stanford (No. 8), Tennessee (No. 9) and Notre Dame (No. 10) finish up the initial Top 10.
A total of seven teams received first-place votes. Alabama led the way with 33, followed by Clemson (16), Florida State (5), Oklahoma (4) and one each for LSU, Ohio State and Michigan.
Alabama, Clemson, Oklahoma, Florida State, LSU, Ohio State, Michigan, Tennessee and Notre Dame were the only teams listed on all 61 ballots.
The SEC leads all conferences with six teams, followed by the Pac-12’s five. The ACC, Big 12 and Big Ten have four each. The AAC’s Houston, at No. 15, is the only representative from a Group of Five conference.
