MORE: Preseason Top 25 | Good job, CFP
USA Today released the preseason Amway Coaches Poll on Thursday and to no surprise, the two teams that played for the 2015 national title — Alabama and Clemson — open 2016 back on top.
This marks the third time Alabama has opened the season at No. 1 since USA Today took over the poll in 1991. Clemson’s No. 2 preseason ranking is its highest in program history.
The Crimson Tide got 55 of the 64 first-place votes with Clemson earning seven. Florida State (No. 4) and Tennessee (No. 10) each received one.
MORE: Clemson dominates ACC Football Kickoff Preseason Poll
As for the Big Ten, Ohio State opens at No. 5, earning a spot in the poll for 23rd straight week, while Michigan sits at No. 8 — the first time the Wolverines have opened in the top 10 since 2012.
2016 Amway Preseason Coaches Poll
- Alabama (55 first-place votes) - 1,585 points 2. Clemson (7) - 1,524 3. Oklahoma - 1,398 4. Florida State (1) - 1,351 5. Ohio State - 1,321 6. LSU - 1,241 7. Stanford - 1,149 8. Michigan - 1,062 9. Notre Dame - 1,034 10. Tennessee - 960 11. Michigan State - 901 12. Ole Miss - 792 13. Houston - 668 14. TCU - 649 15. Iowa - 579 16. Georgia - 525 17. USC - 468 18. Washington - 454 19. Oklahoma State - 426 20. North Carolina - 422 21. Baylor - 383 22. Oregon - 361 23. Louisville - 331 24. UCLA - 296 25. Florida - 245
Also receiving votes: Miami (Fla.) 120; Wisconsin 82; Utah 73; Boise State 73; Washington State 47; Texas A&M 37; Texas 34; Arkansas 34; Northwestern 31; Navy 30; Mississippi State 19; San Diego State 18; Nebraska 17; Auburn 17; Western Kentucky 11; Pittsburgh 8; Brigham Young 6; Appalachian State 4; Duke 3; Arizona 2; Marshall 2; Toledo 2; South Florida 2; Memphis 1; Indiana 1; Northern Illinois 1.
(Each coach submits a top 25 program with a first-place vote worth 25 points, second place 24 and so on down to one point for 25th.)
