Preseason polls are tricky.
No actual games have been played. New coaches haven’t seen their players or schemes in live action. The best teams from last year are naturally ranked highest, though that doesn’t necessarily mean those programs will be the greatest again.
Here we have the Amway Coaches Poll, which was released Thursday. A Top 25 voted on by 64 head coaches at Football Bowl Subdivision schools. These teams will begin the 2015 season ranked one way, but more than likely finish ranked completely different. There are some unranked teams that will probably find their way into the Top 25, while others drop out as upsets happen each week.
As a precursor, here are three teams currently on the outside that could crack the poll by the end of the season:
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Virginia Tech
Rank: 29
Votes: 70
Remember that time last year when Virginia Tech beat Ohio State on the road the second game of the season? The Hokies sure do. Coach Frank Beamer said last week the season opener in Blacksburg on Labor Day is the most anticipated game in Virginia Tech history.
Last year after the emotional victory over the eventual national champion Buckeyes, the Hokies went onto finish the season an unfortunate 7-6. Win this first game and the team will soar into the polls.
Ohio State might very well end up being the most talented team again this season and win another title, but it’s going to face a team that has one of the craziest stadium entrances in sports and perhaps a sneaky talented defense with tackle Luther Maddy and cornerback Brandon Facyson back from last year’s injuries, which will be crucial in facing a Heisman-caliber player like Ezekiel Elliott. Additionally, starting quarterback Michael Brewer, who threw for 199 yards and two touchdowns against Ohio State last season, returns against an Ohio State defense that will be without key players. All-America defensive end Joey Bosa has been suspended for the first game for violating athletic department policy, along with three other players.
If Ohio State wins this game, it’s still early enough in the year that Virginia Tech can recover. The 2014 Buckeyes are a perfect example. Plus the Hokies have a manageable schedule being in the ACC Coastal Region and aside from Georgia Tech, wouldn’t have to the strongest league opponents like Clemson or Florida State until the conference championship game.
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Penn State
Rank 35
Votes: 20
Year two under James Franklin is supposed to be different. Last season, Penn State had the second youngest team in the FBS and players were getting used to new coaches, new schemes, new rules and new roles. By now the getting comfortable period is over.
Junior quarterback Christian Hackenberg had a frustrating year in 2014. The sole leader of a team with high expectations didn’t have enough help around him. The Nittany Lions had one returning offensive lineman and gave up a league-high 44 sacks, the fourth most in the nation. This didn’t help an already weak running game, ranked 120th of 128 FBS teams, averaging just over 100 yards per game and 2.9 yards per carry.
As far as the passing game, most of Penn State’s top receivers were freshmen.
But all these things have been improved upon and the players are more experienced. The schedule is favorable and the most interesting games will come in October and November when the Nittany Lions face Ohio State, Maryland, Michigan and Michigan State, teams they lost to last year.
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Michigan
Rank: 55
Votes: 1
It was the summer of Jim Harbaugh, which can only mean it will also be the season of Jim Harbaugh. The satellite camps in SEC country, Judge Judy tweets and shirtless appearances will not be for naught.
His return to college football is the most anticipated thing about 2015, and we’ll soon learn if he has the team to back up his antics. Harbaugh has yet to name his starting quarterback and has five available to choose from, including former Iowa starter Jake Rudock, who recently transferred.
Michigan may have gone 5-7 last season, but this year the team has experience with 24 players from last year’s depth chart returning, and that doesn’t include former 5-star recruit Jabrill Peppers who only played two games due to injury. Now a redshirt freshman, he’s back and healthy and could be quite the threat. Peppers is a safety, but Harbaugh told reporters earlier this week there’s a “possibility” he’d be involved in the return game and on offense.
Michigan begins the season with early tests in non-conference games at Utah, then at home against Oregon State, UNLV and BYU before hitting the road for its first Big Ten game at Maryland.
