Preseason Coches' Poll: LSU, BAMA lead the way to South Florida

A stacked USC offense caught the attention of the NCAA Coaches and landed them at #3 in the preseason ranking.

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The Road to South Florida began as the USA Today Coaches Poll released it preseason poll today with LSU holding the top spot in the initial rankings. Defending National Champion Alabama received the most first place votes (20) and ranks second behind the Tigers, the team they defeated in the Allstate BCS National Championship Game. Southern California (19) and LSU (18) were the only teams other than Alabama to receive first place votes.

Florida State highlights three ACC schools in the top-25. The Seminoles, who were picked by the media to win the ACC, rank seventh. Defending ACC Champion Clemson ranks 14^th, while Virginia Tech ranks 20^th. The ACC Champion, if not ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in the final BCS Standings, will play in the 2013 Discover Orange Bowl on January 1, 2013.

Defending Discover Orange Bowl Champion West Virginia ranks 11^th as the Mountaineers begin their first season in the Big 12.

Last year, Oklahoma debuted as the No. 1 team in the preseason USA Today Coaches Poll with Alabama ranked No. 2. LSU, who finished first in the final BCS Standings, ranked fourth in last year’s preseason Coaches Poll.

The Coaches Poll, along with the Harris Interactive Poll and computer ranking, each constitute one-third of the BCS Standing. The first BCS Standings will be released October 14. The top two teams in the final BCS Standings will face off in South Florida on January 7, 2013 in the 2013 Discover BCS National Championship Game.

Others receiving votes (with 2011 records)
Washington (7-6) 64; Louisville (7-6) 46; Georgia Tech (8-5) 35; Cincinnati (10-3) 32; Texas A&M (7-6) 28; Baylor (10-3) 23; Utah (8-5) 22; Mississippi State (7-6) 21; South Florida (5-7) 12; N.C. State (8-5) 11; BYU (10-3) 10; Louisiana Tech (8-5) 10; Virginia (8-5) 9; Houston (13-1) 7; Southern Mississippi (12-2) 6; Central Florida (5-7) 5; Rutgers (9-4) 5; Florida International (8-5) 3; Missouri (8-5) 3; Tennessee (5-7) 3; Northern Illinois (11-3) 2; Texas Tech (5-7) 1.

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