USC No. 15 in the USA Today Preseason Coaches Poll

The Amway preseason coaches poll came out Thursday morning and USC’s ranking seem to be a pretty fair starting point. The Trojans placed at No.15 in the preseason poll.

USC’s ranking appears to be about right, when you factor in USC’s quarterback situation and the question marks on offense. Added by the Trojans performance against Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl (Yes Bowl performance often plays a factor in preseason polls). Keep in mind that preseason polls are nothing more than just a starting position for teams and this is the highly scrutinized coaches poll. The No. 15 ranking is indeed fair and a decent starting point for the Trojans.

The Pac-12 only has 3 teams ranked in the Coaches Poll. The Washington Huskies is the Pac-12’s highest ranked team at No. 6. Many view the Huskies as the overwhelming favorite to win the conference championship, their ranking by the coaches only solidifies that view. The Stanford Cardinal appear in the Poll at No. 13 to round out the Pac-12’s appearance. Oregon, Utah, Washington State, and Arizona received votes in the coaches poll.

USC will face two ranked opponents in back to back weeks on the road in No. 13 Stanford on September 8th in Palo Alto and No. 23 Texas Longhorns on September 15th in Austin. Both games could set some momentum early on in the season for the Trojans. Wins in both games could really elevate them in the Coaches and AP polls come week 3.

Alabama Crimson Tide once again appear at the top of the polls taking 61 of 65 votes from the coaches. Clemson with 3 first place votes right behind the Tide at No. 2 while Ohio State garnered 1 first place vote and sits at No. 3. Last seasons national runner up Georgia Bulldogs sit at No. 4 and the Oklahoma Sooners, led by Quarterback and MLB 1st round pick Kyler Murray, appear at No. 5.