Preseason USA Today Top 25 Out

The preseason USA Today "Coaches"preseason USA Today "Coaches" [Sports Information Directors] Poll has been released, and Oklahoma is the #1 pick, with Alabama second.

Oregon comes in at #3, the highest they have ever debuted a season since the USA Today poll began in 1991 (their previous high starting point was #8), and the Ducks' season opening opponent in the Cowboy Stadium Classic, LSU, is right behind. The Tigers are at #4, and the SEC has 8 of their 12 members in the top 23.

Stanford starts out at #6, also their highest start ever, and in ANY of the polls (a #7 in the AP was their previous best), with Boise St. right behind at #7. Wisconsin, Oregon St.'s week 2 opponent in Madison, is #10.

No other western team or Beaver opponent is initially ranked in the top 25.

Oregon St. did get 4 points, one more than Washington. Arizona St. just missed, leading the "Other Receiving Votes" category, 3 points shy of making the top 25.

Pac-12 newcomer Utah is 28th., and Arizona and Oregon St. non-conference opponent BYU also received votes.

USC is not eligible for the Coaches' Poll until they become eligible for postseason play again in 2012.

The first AP Poll will be released later this month.

Andy_Wooldridge@yahoo.com