It may be the middle of summer with the humidity at an all-time high, but the sights and sounds of fall are just around the corner. And that means that college football is just weeks away.
On Tuesday, the USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll was released, and the talking heads can begin the arguments. The poll is comprised of 65 head coaches at Football Bowl Subdivision schools.
As expected, Alabama tops the poll, receiving 63 first-place votes. Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide are coming off another national title, and even though they have to replace a ton of talent, Saban has proven time and time again to be more than capable of plugging the holes. Bryce Young will take over under center for Mac Jones and Saban will also be tasked with replacing Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith and running back Najee Harris. The Crimson Tide open the season on September 4 against the #16 Miami Hurricanes.
Clemson — also replacing their quarterback — comes in second in the polls with Oklahoma receiving the remaining two first-place votes and coming in third in the rankings. OU will be led by Heisman Trophy favorite Spencer Rattler at quarterback.
Ohio State and Georgia round out the top-5 with Notre Dame at seven.
The SEC leads all conferences with six selections, the BIG 10 has five and the Big 12 comes in with four selections. The Pac-12 and the ACC have three teams each and Coastal Carolina and UL Lafayette give the Sun Belt two top-25 spots.
See the full top-25 below (first place votes in parentheses):
- Alabama (63)
- Clemson
- Oklahoma (2)
- Ohio State
- Georgia
- Texas A&M
- Notre Dame
- Iowa State
- North Carolina
- Cincinnati
- Florida
- Oregon
- LSU
- USC
- Wisconsin
- Miami (FL)
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Texas
- Penn State
- Washington
- Oklahoma State
- UL Lafayette
- Coastal Carolina
- Ole Miss
The college football regular season kicks off with Week Zero on Saturday, August 28. The first full slate of games will be Saturday, September 4.
Joe Morgan is the Sports Reporter for The Daily Wire. Most recently, Morgan covered the Clippers, Lakers, and the NBA for Sporting News. Send your sports questions to [email protected].
