The USA Today preseason coaches’ poll is in, and as a result of NCAA sanctions, USC* is noticeably absent from the list.  Instead, the coaches casts their ballots and placed the power of the Pac 10 in the state of Oregon.

The defending conference champion Ducks prepare for a national title run, and they find themselves sitting in the 11th position of the first poll. As the favorite to repeat, it is the highest placement of all conference teams, with Oregon State (22) being the only other member to appear.

Arizona, Stanford, Washington, and Cal all received votes, but overall, it’s a poor start for a conference being penalized for a  poor finish.

USA Today Preseason coaches’ Poll

1.Alabama (55)
2.Ohio State (4)
3.Florida
4.Texas
5.Boise State
6.Virginia Tech
7.TCU
8.Oklahoma
9.Nebraska
10.Iowa
11.Oregon
12.Wisconsin
13.Miami (Fla.)
14.Penn State
15.Pittsburgh
16.LSU
17.Georgia Tech
18.North Carolina
19.Arkansas
20.Florida State
21.Georgia
22.Oregon State
23.Auburn
24t.Utah
24t.West Virginia

Others receiving votes
Cincinnati (12-1) 135; Houston (10-4) 76; Brigham Young (11-2) 66; Arizona (8-5) 65; Mississippi (9-4) 48; Clemson (9-5) 44; Stanford (8-5) 41; Connecticut (8-5) 40; Notre Dame (6-6) 38; South Carolina (7-6) 38; Washington (5-7) 26; Missouri (8-5) 23; Navy (10-4) 12; Oklahoma State (9-4) 11; Boston College (8-5) 10; Michigan State (6-7) 10; Arizona State (4-8) 6; California (8-5) 6; Texas Tech (9-4) 5; South Florida (8-5) 4; Texas A&M (6-7) 3; Northwestern (8-5) 2; Temple (9-4) 2; Central Michigan (12-2) 1; Mississippi State (5-7) 1; Nevada (8-5) 1; Northern Illinois (7-6) 1; Southern Methodist (8-5) 1.

Source: USA Today

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