Alabama #1, Ohio State #2 In Preseason Coaches Poll

[FSUfly#13]

I agree with most points given in the thread, but there are also ones I don't agree with.

I do believe that you should have high expectations for your team every year. I always have high expectations for Florida State, yes, I have been let down recently, but I also see improvement. I don't expect Florida State to make it to the National Championship every year but I know that their reigning days will appear once more eventually.
An article from ACC Kickoff, Quote from Jimbo Fisher; "I think that's good," Fisher said. "Some people say,`Well, that high expectations.' That's what you want. You want expectations. You can't run from expectations, but you learn how to deal with it and remember that expectation doesn't win a game. It's what you do on the field, how you play and how you prepare to play. That's the message I still want to make sure we send; that we prepare to have success and we follow the process, the results will be there."

And the reason why Ohio State and the Big Ten are hated so much is obviously because it is so predictable as to who is going to contend for the Big Ten title. The same with the Pac 10, most likely USC and Oregon/Cal but the SEC/ACC/Big 12/Big East are usually unpredictable. I'll admit that the ACC used to be the same way before Boston College/Miami/Virginia Tech entered. It's funny that I remember mentioning FSU winning all the time back in the late 80's up through 2000, and Ohio State friends and family of mine and some SEOPS members would talk about how weak the ACC was in those days. Well that's how I feel the Big Ten is. A few select teams compete like Wisconsin/Iowa/Purdue/Michigan State can compete with other average schools, but not top programs like Ohio State or Penn State. When was the last time that Wisconsin/Purdue/Michigan State were in a BCS? Va Tech/Miami/FSU/Wake have all been to a BCS bowl in past 5-6 years. It's just not as easy to win it every year.

This isn't about bashing Ohio State though or the Big Ten, it's a legit fact. I also second what fightingtigers45 says. He honestly did not say anything about the beat down Ohio State received in the NC, even after friends from school gave him the hardest of times from Bowl Selection til' Ted Ginn made that punt return to open the game. He killed the fans with silence most of the time.

Once again, as I said, I don't come on here to try to make FSU look good or necessarily make Ohio State look bad, but someone has to pull Ohio State back into the real world. They aren't always they best because they beat on lesser opponents and win Big Ten Championships, other teams do the same thing consistently in harder conferences. Such as the SEC. I don't try to make FSU look better, it's hard when they only win 7-8 games a season. I just try to let those Big Ten fans know that their conference is not as good as they make it out to be. At all. I have even said myself that Ohio State would lose 2-3 games at most and been told to "go read what analysts/sportswriters/and what media is saying." As if I care what Kirk Herbstreit(sp) and Eddie George say about the Buckeyes. If I don't think that Ohio State will go undefeated then their fans pounce me with a bunch of garbage. I try to make legit reasoning and give realistic results. I may not be a professional analyst but neither is anyone else on here. But it's also not fair when I consider Miami a tough opponent for FSU year after year and Ohio State fans disagree, but when Ohio State manages to find them on the schedule they are considered a top program/top ten talent...just an example of how SOME Ohio State fans are.

[FSUfly#13]

Although I do admit that I am excited for the Marshall and Miami game as well. I might even make a trip to tailgate for the experience. Ohio State will make a BCS bowl again most likely, but I haven't quite figured out who they have the most chance playing by taking a glance at preseason Top 25. Florida/Texas possibly? I'll probably watch more Ohio State games this year than I ever have in my life. Once again, Marshall and Miami for sure, then their last 3 games will be rather tough. Penn State/Iowa/Michigan..possibly Wisconsin since it is at Wisconsin. I still think they lose maybe 2-3 games

[seofan_via_dublin]

I haven't seen anyone say that Miami is top ten talent and a top program.

You justify your position of OSU losing 2-3 games by saying they have a tough last three game stretch,
when the only tough game in that stretch is Iowa on the road.

Just because several different teams make it to a BCS bowl from a conference over a time period,
doesn't make that conference good. It just means that the ACC is full of average at best teams. Most of which being
below average.

Stop putting Penn State in the discussion for this year, they'll be no better than 4th in the conference and as you've noted
the conference isn't that deep.

On that note, the Big 10 has been down. Nobody is arguing that point. It's not staying that way though. OSU, Iowa, or Wisconsin has a legit
claim for the title this year, and all three are legit top 5 teams. Michigan State has an improving team. Penn st. is well coached and is solid.
Northwestern can compete with their tier schools from any conference. And as so many haters love to refresh, Purdue can beat anyone.

The Big 10 is still top heavy, but they are getting depth this year, and Nebraska will add great Mid-Level depth, and will at times
compete for the title. Michigan is down, but that doesn't mean the Big 10 is. They'll get better, and could suprise a lot of people this season.
I don't think they will, but that's why it's a suprise.

The top three Big 10 schools would waltz through the ACC and Big East, they'd all finish in the top 4 in the PAC 10, and would likely occupy both
spots in the Big 12 title game. At minimum they'd be in one. The SEC is strong. But Saban and Alabama is down there winning the conference with
Big 10 football. Depending on division placement OSU would have a shot at winning the title most years. Years they didn't, they'd still finish top 2 in their division, and top 4 in the conference. The only two teams in the SEC that would SERIOUSLY threaten OSU every year are Florida and Bama, and that's why those two schools have won 3 out of the last 4 National titles.

But one more thing to consider, if the Buckeyes played in the SEC, they'd make sure some of those November home games had Florida and Bama in the rotation.

[JChipwood]

Last 3 posts were good posts. The only issue is comparing ACC football to other power conferences. Most Big10 fans will admit that it is down and has been during the past 8-10 years but that is the longest down spell in it's history and only down spell to last more than a year or 2. Still the 2nd and 3rd teams in the conference beat the ACC 1 and 2 last year and the BCS game was, with the exception of Florida hammering UC, the biggest wash on the BCS tilt last year. Iowa struggled within their own system but still looked like a varsity team pushing around a JV team and then coasting for 2 qtrs to victory. The mid level wisconsin team you referenced beat the "u". ACC is, across the board, mediocre but a league of great parody. Makes for great football. In time FSU and the U will rise back above the rest and dominate the conference but it may be that they are just simply better not that the whole conference has slipped to a lower level. Again, the Big10 isn't much better right now than the ACC but it is still better year in year out and this all during a down time in the Big10, the Big least isn't even close any time in any year to being a "good" football conference.

I'll totally agree though that tOSU isn't always world beaters and sometimes fans go overboard.

[fightingtigers45]

But one more thing to consider, if the Buckeyes played in the SEC, they'd make sure some of those November home games had Florida and Bama in the rotation.

And to be honest, I wouldnt mind. Especially with last years team. Last year we were a run-oriented team. Im sure Bama wouldnt mind either, because they are also a power team.

[fightingtigers45]

The top three Big 10 schools would waltz through the ACC and Big East, they'd all finish in the top 4 in the PAC 10, and would likely occupy both
spots in the Big 12 title game. At minimum they'd be in one. The SEC is strong. But Saban and Alabama is down there winning the conference with
Big 10 football. Depending on division placement OSU would have a shot at winning the title most years. Years they didn't, they'd still finish top 2 in their division, and top 4 in the conference. The only two teams in the SEC that would SERIOUSLY threaten OSU every year are Florida and Bama, and that's why those two schools have won 3 out of the last 4 National titles.

I agree with the first part of this...The top three would probably handle the ACC and Big East, but I dont see them finishing in the top four of the Pac 10 and being the best teams in the Pac 10. Just dont see it. Unless you are talking about next year and next year only. Over the past decade, there is no way. USC has danced circles around the Big Ten, including OSU. OSU would be second. Followed by Oregon and then someone else.

Also, there is NO WAY that the Big Ten would be in the Big 12 title game. No way. Not happening. UNLESS you are talking about next year and next year only, and then it is possible. Possible. Not likely, but possible.

And as far as the SEC goes, you might as well add LSU to that list because LSU defeated Ohio State three years ago and they are the 4th team to win the title in your "3 out of 4" scenario. The SEC has been dominant. Again, if you are talking about next year and next year only, then you are right. Florida and Alabama are the only two teams that would seriously compete with OSU. The thing I think you might be not realizing is the grind of an SEC schedule. Say what you want, but its a gauntlet most years and there are no off weeks. Playing middle of the pack SEC teams, such as Auburn or South Carolina, is different than playing Michigan State and Illinois.

[seofan_via_dublin]

The thing I think you might be not realizing is the grind of an SEC schedule. Say what you want, but its a gauntlet most years and there are no off weeks. Playing middle of the pack SEC teams, such as Auburn or South Carolina, is different than playing Michigan State and Illinois.

I can accept being criticized as being a Buckeye and Big Ten homer, but the above statement shows your SEC glasses are a bit fogged up as well.

Playing Auburn, South Carolina, Kentucky, Vandy, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Miss St., here recently Tennessee, should never be considered (by a top tier team)
to be a gauntlet.

You site Auburn, heck Northwestern is their Big Ten equal.

Auburn has had some very good years, and they are rich historically significant program,
but they are not part of a "gauntlet" as it stands now.

When Florida opens the season, even with their losses they incured in personel, they are looking at 2 serious threat games,
and probably 2 other games that they could possibly be concerned with going into them.
Bama and LSU (but LSU is in the Swamp) are the threats, and concern with Georgia and FSU, not because of the fact that they should lose, but they are strong rivalry games, and those two team will be looking for their pound of flesh with Tebow gone.

Bama starts the season #1 and has a road paved with gold to the title game. Their only hold ups could be the inexperience of their
defensive backfield with Arkansas and Florida in back to back weeks. They've got a night game at LSU the first week in november that could
prove crutial as well. But, by that time they should be very well jelled on defense.

I can't deny the "success of the SEC" over the past several years. But it's just 3 teams driving the boat, and the rest of the league is reaping the benefits.

[seofan_via_dublin]

Riddle me this:
People love to bash the Buckeyes for their losses against UF, LSU, Texas, and USC, they love to constantly "knock the Buckeyes fans down a peg"
or "bring them back to reality" by bringing those loses up.
Why is it then that when the Buckeyes do beat teams such as Oregon, who was considered the most dynamic offense in the country,
or Iowa, a top 5 school when they played, that those same people revert to the argument of "well they were overrated" or other BS excuses.

It seems that those who love to call the Buckeyes arrogant and overhyped, also don't want to give credit where credit is do.
Frankly I'd rather be over hyped than hypocritical.

But, as it goes this year, the Buckeyes will probably win the National Title but do so against Boise State.
Then we'll get to hear how, "it was Boise State" or "still can't beat a SEC school in the game".

But oh well, that's part of the world you have to live in when your a Nut.

[fightingtigers45]

Riddle me this:
People love to bash the Buckeyes for their losses against UF, LSU, Texas, and USC, they love to constantly "knock the Buckeyes fans down a peg"
or "bring them back to reality" by bringing those loses up.
Why is it then that when the Buckeyes do beat teams such as Oregon, who was considered the most dynamic offense in the country,
or Iowa, a top 5 school when they played, that those same people revert to the argument of "well they were overrated" or other BS excuses.

It seems that those who love to call the Buckeyes arrogant and overhyped, also don't want to give credit where credit is do.
Frankly I'd rather be over hyped than hypocritical.

But, as it goes this year, the Buckeyes will probably win the National Title but do so against Boise State.
Then we'll get to hear how, "it was Boise State" or "still can't beat a SEC school in the game".

But oh well, that's part of the world you have to live in when your a Nut.

Would you like some cheese to go with that? Dear lord.

Iowa was not that good last year. They scraped by every single team they played including FBS Northern Iowa.

Oregon was "dynamic", yes, but their breakout performance was at home against a bad USC team. I guess you could argue it was against Cal, but Cal was also weak. The same Oregon team lost to Stanford and needed 2 OT to beat Arizona later in the season.

And you are right...if you beat Boise in the title game nobody will care and regardless of what you say, YOU know it wont be as sweet as it would be if you were to beat an Alabama, Florida, Texas, or Oklahoma in the title game.

[fightingtigers45]

The thing I think you might be not realizing is the grind of an SEC schedule. Say what you want, but its a gauntlet most years and there are no off weeks. Playing middle of the pack SEC teams, such as Auburn or South Carolina, is different than playing Michigan State and Illinois.

I can accept being criticized as being a Buckeye and Big Ten homer, but the above statement shows your SEC glasses are a bit fogged up as well.

Playing Auburn, South Carolina, Kentucky, Vandy, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Miss St., here recently Tennessee, should never be considered (by a top tier team)
to be a gauntlet.

You site Auburn, heck Northwestern is their Big Ten equal.

Auburn has had some very good years, and they are rich historically significant program,
but they are not part of a "gauntlet" as it stands now.

When Florida opens the season, even with their losses they incured in personel, they are looking at 2 serious threat games,
and probably 2 other games that they could possibly be concerned with going into them.
Bama and LSU (but LSU is in the Swamp) are the threats, and concern with Georgia and FSU, not because of the fact that they should lose, but they are strong rivalry games, and those two team will be looking for their pound of flesh with Tebow gone.

Bama starts the season #1 and has a road paved with gold to the title game. Their only hold ups could be the inexperience of their
defensive backfield with Arkansas and Florida in back to back weeks. They've got a night game at LSU the first week in november that could
prove crutial as well. But, by that time they should be very well jelled on defense.

I can't deny the "success of the SEC" over the past several years. But it's just 3 teams driving the boat, and the rest of the league is reaping the benefits.

I can agree with most of this. My point was if you are scheduling a game and you see that you have to go to Auburn or go to Illinois, youre picking Illinois 95% of the time.

I know Florida's schedule and you are right...there are only a few places for slipups. The 4 game of stretch of Bama, LSU, Miss State, and Georgia could prove fatal. Miss State will be a tough game in my eyes because of their coach and the fact that it is squeezed in between three difficult games. And btw, dont sleep on Georgia. If their QB comes to play this year, look out.

[fightingtigers45]

For the record, if Miss State was not sandwiched in with the difficult games, then I would not be concerned with it whatsoever.

[seofan_via_dublin]

If this years Bama proves to be the most dominate team to ever come out of the SEC,
and OSU beats them in the title game,
it will still be the same crap from haters.

Only you'll go back and give the "even a blind squirrel finds a nut sometimes", or "yea, but you can't beat Florida".

Bust my chops if we lose a game, I talk a big talk and can take it and expect it if the Buckeyes don't come through.
But, if we go the whole season unbeaten and win the Title, then don't make excuses and hate on the Buckeyes.

[seofan_via_dublin]

Winning the national title will be sweet no matter who it's against.

Because that means you've beaten either the #1 or #2 team in the country.
If there is no SEC team in the game, then no SEC team deserved to be there.

It doesn't make it any less of an achievement.

[MM125]

I'm a Buckeye fan...but if we are arguing who the best team is Florida and Ohio State get owned by Yale, Harvard and Princeton

We can sit here and argue all day what conference is better than which and what team is better than which but the way I see it is...it's gonna be a new year a new week a new day and that's what you take it as...of course it's awesome to live in the past cause great things happen but if you get caught up living in the past to much you become Notre Dame

[FANOSPORTS]

If this years Bama proves to be the most dominate team to ever come out of the SEC,
and OSU beats them in the title game,
it will still be the same crap from haters.

Only you'll go back and give the "even a blind squirrel finds a nut sometimes", or "yea, but you can't beat Florida".

Bust my chops if we lose a game, I talk a big talk and can take it and expect it if the Buckeyes don't come through.
But, if we go the whole season unbeaten and win the Title, then don't make excuses and hate on the Buckeyes.

I guarantee you if Ohio State would let's say, beat Alabama in the national title game the USA as a whole would then have a lot more respect for the Big Ten. Somebody has to step up and beat a Nationally renowned team before this is gonna happen and until then people will continue to negate whatever the Big Ten does. When they play these teams, they have to keep a .500 record and it's not happening here recently. The Big Ten can continue to beat the Texas A&M's, Oregon's, Georgia Tech's and South Carolina's of the world but until they prove they can beat the perennial power teams in bowl games, they will not get national respect. The Big Ten is real lucky in the fact that Penn State and Michigan have done their best in recent history to administer a few losses on traditional power teams in bowl games which I believe has kept the Big 10 from becoming a laughing stock amongst national fans of various conferences. OSU ought to thank both those teams. JMO

[FSUfly#13]

I don't think that the ACC is a very strong conference. I can agree that they don't have an obvious STAND-OUT team every year. I just think that those teams in the ACC are more competitive and 6-7 teams out of the ACC would be more of a challenge for Ohio State rather than Illinois, Indiana, Michigan State, Northwestern..I don't think Ohio State would run through the ACC at all. Ohio State often has competitive games with lesser schools of the Big Ten and teams such as Navy/Illinois(2007)/Ohio/Marshall(2003/04?).

I think that Ohio State would have more of a tough time preparing each week for a bigger opponent if going through a schedule such as Miami/FSU/VT/BC/Clemson/UNC/GT. IMO those games are not as easy and predictable. Do you get my point? ACC has depth, but not a stand-out team. Although, Va. Tech is looking to be pretty talented this year.

If Ohio State manages to play Boise for a title, it is deserved but I would much rather face Alabama/Texas/Oklahoma. Someone with the same caliber and history/tradition as that of Ohio State.

[FSUfly#13]

Another thing, T. Pryor, expected to be a frontrunner for Heisman. I just haven't been impressed with him and it is probably because of all the hype he received coming out of high school. He's solid. Perfect example, Myron Rolle (FSU) top prospect coming out of HS and was not even top 10 greatest defensive players in FSU history. Maybe not even top 20. I think TP is solid, and I see flashes of potential but he is very inconsistent. Not sure why? Maybe this year he will be more consistent, but he's not winning the heisman.

[seofan_via_dublin]

You dont know a thing about the Big Ten if you are besmerching rising programs in some of the league schools you mention. Perhaps FSU should try to get a home and home with a few of them and you might learn something. No league has Top 20 schools in their 3rd, 4th, etc place teams. But this year in the preseason there are three Big Ten teams in the top 14.

Slight correction here, there are 4 Big 10 teams in the top 14.
OSU, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Penn St. (but PSU shouldn't be there)

[fightingtigers45]

You dont know a thing about the Big Ten if you are besmerching rising programs in some of the league schools you mention. Perhaps FSU should try to get a home and home with a few of them and you might learn something. No league has Top 20 schools in their 3rd, 4th, etc place teams. But this year in the preseason there are three Big Ten teams in the top 14.

The SEC has done this 400 times

In 2008, the SEC had four in the top 10.

Last year there were 5 in the top 13, alone...We all saw how that turned out. Preseason is preseason.

Those four are also all the Big Ten has...The SEC has two in the top three and six in the top 25. I can argue and say the SEC's results are better than that of the Big Ten. Whoopedy-doo.

[FSUfly#13]

You dont know a thing about the Big Ten if you are besmerching rising programs in some of the league schools you mention. Perhaps FSU should try to get a home and home with a few of them and you might learn something. No league has Top 20 schools in their 3rd, 4th, etc place teams. But this year in the preseason there are three Big Ten teams in the top 14.

Slight correction here, there are 4 Big 10 teams in the top 14.
OSU, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Penn St. (but PSU shouldn't be there)

Wisconsin is ranked due to returning players and their last year result against Miami in the Champs Sports Bowl. If they rank Miami they have to rank Wisconsin. Same for Penn State for beating LSU, and supposedly Penn State is not considered to be as good this year. There are also 5 ACC teams in Top 25 and only 4 for the Big Ten. Preseason rankings are primarily based on talent, but also the depth in which starters are returning and how many Seniors.