USC football nearly excluded from preseason AP Top 25 poll

TUCSON, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 29: Head coach Lincoln Riley of the USC Trojans talks to referee Michael Mothershed during the first half of the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on October 29, 2022 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

It happened again. USC football, which was almost shut out of the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll, was nearly excluded from the preseason Associated Press Top 25 Poll. The Trojans were buried near the bottom of the poll once again, a clear sign that national writers — just like the nation’s college football coaches who vote in these polls — aren’t taking USC and Lincoln Riley very seriously. The Trojans do face a tough schedule, and that is certainly a reasonable basis for downgrading the Trojans, but USC is placed far below a number of other teams which don’t seem to be notably better than the Trojans, if they are even better at all.

Let’s give you the preseason AP Top 25 poll, with USC’s season opener against LSU now under three weeks away:

1. Georgia Bulldogs

Dec 31, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart gives a fist pump following the Peach Bowl against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff semifinal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Georgia beat Ohio State 42-41. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch Ncaa Football Peach Bowl Ohio State At Georgia

Georgia is No. 1 in both preseason polls. The Bulldogs will pursue a third national title in four seasons.

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2. Ohio State Buckeyes

Dec 29, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day watches during the second quarter of the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic against the Missouri Tigers at AT&T Stadium.

The Buckeyes are No. 2 in both preseason polls, due to having a loaded defense from returning players and transfer…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/usc-football-nearly-excluded-preseason-183820997.html

Author : Trojans Wire

Publish date : 2024-08-12 18:38:20

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