USC Trojans Ranked No. 4 in Preseason Coaches Poll

The Amway Coaches Poll was released Thursday morning with the USC Trojans positioned at No. 4. The goal for USC is to make the College Football Playoffs and the preseason ranking would position them in one of the 4 College Football Playoff spots (if the coaches poll had an impact on the playoffs that is), which is a great starting point.

The ranking also makes USC the highest ranked team in the Pac-12. Washington comes in at No. 7 behind USC’s Rose Bowl opponent Penn St, who is ranked No. 6 in the Polls. Stanford enters the coaches poll at No. 14 while Utah rounds off the polls at No. 25. USC host Stanford on September 9^th and the Utes on October 14^th. Their September 16^th opponent Texas enters at No. 23.

The ranking shouldn’t come as much of a shock to people. USC has been a presumed contender for the College Football Playoff since the end of last season. While the lack of a bye week and some unanswered questions at a few key spots looms, USC is considered to have an easy schedule (compared to their talent level) as they face only three teams ranked in the Coaches Poll (No. 14 Stanford, No. 23 Texas, and No. 25 Utah). It should also be noted that USC is the only team in the Top 5 to not receive a First place vote.

Alabama and Ohio State come into the Polls at 1 and 2 respectively while Florida State enters at No.3. The Seminoles and Tide face off September in Atlanta, Georgia. Defending National Champion Clemson is ranked No. 5 right under the Trojans. No. 8 Oklahoma Sooners, No. 9 Michigan Wolverines, and No. 10 Wisconsin Badgers rounded out the top 10. The full poll is below:

2017 Preseason Coaches' Poll

1. Alabama (49)
2. Ohio State (5)
3. Florida State (4)
4. USC
5. Clemson (7)
6. Penn State
7. Washington
8. Oklahoma
9. Michigan
10. Wisconsin
11. Oklahoma State
12. LSU
13. Auburn
14. Stanford
15. Georgia
16. Florida
17. Louisville
18. Miami
19. Kansas State
20. West Virginia
21. South Florida
22. Virginia Tech
23. Texas
24. Tennessee
25. Utah

Others Receiving Votes

Washington State 99; Colorado 72; TCU 58; Boise State 49; Notre Dame 49; Texas A&M 46; Pittsburgh 45; North Carolina State 39; Oregon 37; Northwestern 25; Nebraska 23; Memphis 22; Arkansas 22; Mississippi State 19; San Diego State 18; Appalachian State 11; Brigham Young 10; Georgia Tech 10; Tulsa 10; Wyoming 9; Western Michigan 8; Temple 8; North Carolina 8; Houston 7; Troy 6; Minnesota 6; Iowa 5; Louisiana Tech 4; Syracuse 3; Arizona 2; Army 1; Colorado State 1; Michigan State 1; Maryland 1; Toledo 1; UCLA 1.