Back to poll results >>

steelcitygator Ballot for 2020 Preseason

Ballot Type: Human

Submitted: Aug. 31, 2020, 9:42 p.m.

Rank Team Reason
1 Clemson Tigers Well I know Clemson and Ohio State both have great QB's.  But Clemson is playing so I know more about them and therefore think they are better.  I probably would have put them at the top spot anyway just because Dabo has a more proven track record.
2 Ohio State Buckeyes We were told to include teams who aren't playing in the preseason poll so here they are.  2nd best QB in the country and just stacked with talent.  Would have been fun to watch this year.
3 Alabama Crimson Tide It felt really good to be able to rank them outside the top 10 last year but lets be honest this juggernaut isn't going to fall apart completely until Saban leaves.  Unproven/worse QB keeps them below Clemson and Ohio State.
4 Florida Gators So hear me out, Kyle Trask is the best RETURNING quarterback in the SEC.  That is the main reason I put UF way up here.  Otherwise, defense should be solid with some nasty pieces in the secondary, biggest thing will be getting the running game back on track but the o-line can't really be worse than last year so I have to assume there is some improvement.
5 Penn State Nittany Lions They are loaded with talent and, while it doesn't matter because they aren't playing, Parson's might have been the best defensive player in the country.  The biggest problems with them are consistent WR play and whether Clifford is actually their best QB (I am not sure about that).  Also had the best TE in the country.
6 Georgia Bulldogs The offense is just such a question.  Need to switch things up but do we really trust this staff with QB assessment?  The fact that they brought in multiple transfers at the position scares me.  We know there is talent in other places though and trust the defense will be good.
7 Oklahoma Sooners This is about where they are talent-wise, top 10ish.  That said I know I would've ended up putting them in the top 4 at the end of the year more because of the actions of others than anything they would do.  Baylor could have saved us from this but I guess there's a reason we don't trust Baylor.
8 Oregon Ducks It's really great to see top tier defense on the West Coast again.  These aren't Chip Kelly's Ducks and the offense needs to improve but I don't think there would have been a ton of competition in the Pac-12 and could've had a decent shot at a playoff spot.
9 North Carolina Tar Heels Mac Brown sure is something.  Offense will be really good and they have the 2nd best QB in the ACC.  I have some questions on the defensive side but easily 2nd best team in the ACC to me, game against Notre Dame could decide #2 in the ACC.
10 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Just join the ACC for God's sake.  They are just so above-average, they'll finish the season 8-15 every year.
11 Auburn Tigers Intriguing.  That's my byline on my non-existent article on them.  I think their offense isn't as good as some want to say and know the defense had some turnover so I'm putting them down here.
12 LSU Tigers They already had tons of turnover and I was going to drop them to the bottom half of the top 10.  This just isn't a squad built to replace the best statistical QB in CFB history and the coordinator that made it happen not to mention all of the other top-flight talent that left.  That was before Covid opt-outs of which they might be one of the hardest-hit squads.  Might be a rough year but I'll give some benefit of the doubt.
13 Minnesota Golden Gophers Lost some important skill position guys but maintain QB and I believe in the coaching staff which has me elevate them over the other B10 West teams.  It wouldn't have surprised me if they finished anywhere in the top 3 in that division though.
14 Wisconsin Badgers Consistently the best but once again that top 3 in the B10 West is pretty fluid in my mind.  Wisconsin and Minnesota just edge Iowa but once again any order for these 3 wouldn't color me shocked.
15 Pittsburgh Panthers This defense is legit.  I've only seen 1 opt-out and that was probably on the d-line, maybe Pitt's deepest position.  Offense is a question mark but you would hope some consistency in the more pass-happy offensive scheme would lead to better results but that's where it all hinges for this team.
16 Boise State Broncos Consistently atop the G5 and they have like 3 quarterbacks that were good last year.  I also might never get over the fact FSU won't be traveling to Boise.
17 Texas A&M Aggies I don't trust Jimbo anymore.  Theoretically, they will be a top 15 team but they need to prove it.  You could say they didn't lose any games they shouldn't but they really should've taken one of the Auburn or Georgia games.  Put up time.
18 Iowa Hawkeyes Just so damn consistent that I know they'll be a top 25 team.  Below Wisconsin and Minnesota but you never know what teams can't do it on a cold rainy night in Kinnick.
19 Cincinnati Bearcats How in the world did they keep Fickell around?  I was tempted to put them higher but couldn't quite justify doing it in the preseason.  With all of the teams who won't be playing I wouldn't be surprised if they fight for a top 10 ranking by the end of the year.
20 Appalachian State Mountaineers Might be the best G5 team but questions with bringing on a new coaching staff got them down to 20.
21 Louisville Cardinals I am very excited about them.  Just made my end of season top 25 and they return a lot of pieces from last year.
22 Michigan Wolverines Offense looked better late in the year and still think the defense will be good but they need to prove they're still a top 15 team.
23 Utah Utes Lose a lot but until we see coaching turnover I won't be betting on them to drop out of the top 25, just see a bit of a reloading year under normal circumstances.
24 Memphis Tigers Lots of turnover in the roster and coaching staff and that was before they lost their best player to opting-out of the season.  Almost dropped them out but they were really good last year.
25 Baylor Bears Similar story to Memphis honestly, couldn't justify dropping them out completely with just how good they were last year but don't really think they finish the year here.  Putting them here also keeps Texas out and something inside me is a big fan of that.

Back to poll results >>