Iowa is No. 15 in pre-season coaches poll

[Blair Sanderson]

http://sportspolls.usatoday.com/ncaa/football/polls/coaches-poll/


Amway Coaches Preseason Poll

Rank, Team (First-Place Votes), 2015 Record, Points

1. Alabama (55), 14-1, 1585
2. Clemson (7), 14-1, 1524
3. Oklahoma, 11-2, 1398
4. Florida State (1), 10-3, 1351
5. Ohio State, 12-1, 1321
6. LSU, 9-3, 1241
7. Stanford, 12-2, 1149
8. Michigan, 10-3, 1062
9. Notre Dame, 10-3, 1034
10. Tennessee (1), 9-4, 960
11. Michigan State, 12-2, 901
12. Mississippi, 10-3, 792
13. Houston, 13-1, 668
14. Texas Christian, 11-2, 649
15. Iowa, 12-2, 579
16. Georgia, 10-3, 525
17. Southern California, 8-6, 468
18. Washington, 7-6, 454
19. Oklahoma State, 10-3, 426
20. North Carolina, 11-3, 422
21. Baylor, 10-3, 383
22. Oregon, 9-4, 361
23. Louisville, 8-5, 331
24. UCLA, 8-5, 296
25. Florida, 10-4, 245

Others Receiving Votes
Miami (Fla.) 120; Wisconsin 82; Utah 73; Boise State 73; Washington State 47; Texas A&M 37; Texas 34; Arkansas 34; Northwestern 31; Navy 30; Mississippi State 19; San Diego State 18; Nebraska 17; Auburn 17; Western Kentucky 11; Pittsburgh 8; Brigham Young 6; Appalachian State 4; Duke 3; Arizona 2; Marshall 2; Toledo 2; South Florida 2; Memphis 1; Indiana 1; Northern Illinois 1.

List of Voters
The Amway Board of Coaches is made up of 64 head coaches at Bowl Subdivision schools. All are members of the American Football Coaches Association. The board for the 2016 season: Chris Ash, Rutgers; Dino Babers, Syracuse; David Bailiff, Rice; David Beaty, Kansas; Bret Bielema, Arkansas; John Bonamego, Central Michigan; Terry Bowden, Akron; Matt Campbell, Iowa State; Ron Caragher, San Jose State; Rod Carey, Northern Illinois; Paul Chryst, Wisconsin; Chris Creighton, Eastern Michigan; David Cutcliffe, Duke; DJ Durkin, Maryland; Larry Fedora, North Carolina; Jimbo Fisher, Florida State; James Franklin, Penn State; Justin Fuente, Virginia Tech; Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State; Bryan Harsin, Boise State; Clay Helton, Southern California; Tom Herman, Houston; Doc Holliday, Marshall; Skip Holtz, Louisiana Tech; Joey Jones, South Alabama, Brian Kelly, Notre Dame; Sean Kugler, Texas-El Paso; Mike Leach, Washington State; Lance Leipold, Buffalo; Seth Littrell, North Texas; Rocky Long, San Diego State; Mike MacIntyre, Colorado; Gus Malzahn, Auburn; Chuck Martin, Miami (Ohio); Doug Martin, New Mexico State; Derek Mason, Vanderbilt; Urban Meyer, Ohio State; Trent Miles, Georgia State; Philip Montgomery, Tulsa; Scottie Montgomery, East Carolina; Chad Morris, Southern Methodist; Dan Mullen, Mississippi State; Mike Norvell, Memphis; Gary Patterson, TCU; Chris Petersen, Washington; Brian Polian, Nevada; Mark Richt, Miami (Fla.); Mike Riley, Nebraska; Rich Rodriguez, Arizona; Nick Saban, Alabama; Tony Sanchez, UNLV; Scott Satterfield, Appalachian State; Kirby Smart, Georgia; Frank Solich, Ohio; Rick Stockstill, Middle Tennessee State; Bob Stoops, Oklahoma; Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M; Dabo Swinney, Clemson; Tommy Tuberville, Cincinnati; Ron Turner, Florida International; Matt Wells, Utah State; Kyle Whittingham, Utah; Kevin Wilson, Indiana; Everett Withers, Texas State.

 

[CaptainCrunchies]

Football is back baby! Ever since I first became a fan the first polls and football prognosticators magazines always let me know it was close.

I'm anxious to see how Beathard handles expectations. Last year nobody knew what to expect of him or the team. This year he's on a bunch of preseason awards lists.

 

[leiserom]

Should be interesting year. I am a University of Houston season ticket holder. Also have tickets to 3 Iowa games(2 home+Rutgers). Fortunately not much in way of conflicts as UH plays 2 games on Thursday nights. I am mostly a UH fan for the home games. Not so much for away games. If the schedule fits might hit a Rice game also

 

[whatsup13579er]

Only 6 SEC teams ranked? Seems low. And only 3 in the top 15? What's the deal?

Also, who gave Tennessee a #1 vote? I get they have a chance to be a good team but pre-season #1?

I would have pegged Iowa from 12-15 so they are right on the lower range of where I expected them to be. You could easily make a case from them to be at 12 ahead of Houston, Ole MIss, and TCU.

 

[Kurt Warner]

Should be top 10 baby!!

 

[5Fan5]

Should be top 10 baby!!

Was it only a year ago that some posters where predicting/hoping for the demise of the Kirk Ferentz era at Iowa?

It is a preseason poll. Nothing more. Iowa will earn whatever ranking they achieve just like every season before.

 

[Kurt Warner]

Was it only a year ago that some posters where predicting/hoping for the demise of the Kirk Ferentz era at Iowa?

It is a preseason poll. Nothing more. Iowa will earn whatever ranking they achieve just like every season before.

I have to admit that I was one of those posters. Kirk has always been a class act and it seems he has gotten his second wind at coaching. Here's to hoping he can sustain it and end his career on a very very high note.

 

[SDHawkDoc]

15-20 is what I had them pegged for.
The curb stomping they received in the rose bowl has some carry over effect in polling.

Looking forward to them being very competitive in the B1G west and a good chance to return to the B1G title game.

 

[funnyfletcher]

I wonder if Matt Campbell put Toledo in the top 25.

 

[bravelittletoaster]

I was for Kirk getting canned or he better make some changes. 2011-2014 was pretty awful

 

[millhawk]

I wonder if Matt Campbell put Toledo in the top 25.

Now that he's gone maybe they can get into the MAC championship game.

 

[blockm2]

Was it only a year ago that some posters where predicting/hoping for the demise of the Kirk Ferentz era at Iowa?

It is a preseason poll. Nothing more. Iowa will earn whatever ranking they achieve just like every season before.

I agree in spirit, but as a fan nothing wrong with getting a little preseason love in the polls. It means your early season games will get a lot more attention nationally. Your highlights will pop up more frequently and you will actually get discussed in pregame shows.

In the end it ultimately doesn't matter, but it never hurts to get some positive attention.

 

[5Fan5]

I agree in spirit, but as a fan nothing wrong with getting a little preseason love in the polls. It means your early season games will get a lot more attention nationally. Your highlights will pop up more frequently and you will actually get discussed in pregame shows.

In the end it ultimately doesn't matter, but it never hurts to get some positive attention.

It is understandable how preseason hype helps to fan the flames of a pent up off season, but all too often the 'educated (?) guesses' become the standard.

Just last year at this time, the expected top four were projected to be Ohio State, TCU, Alabama and Baylor. The 2015 season happened and it was Clemson, Alabama, Michigan State and Oklahoma in that order for the national playoffs. How truly good are polls before even many fall camps are officially underway, let alone any games having been played if they can only come that close to actual performance in determining a champion? Of the preseason top ten from 2015, exactly four teams (Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan State and TCU) were still considered top ten at year end. At the other end of the spectrum, two teams that finished as top ten (Houston and Iowa) were not even ranked at all at the start of the season.

For my money, all of the prognostication is to sell magazines, web sites, radio/television time until the games can be played. Nothing else. It would be much better to allow the season to progress into week five or six before ranking the teams for that year.

 

[markfromj]

I was for Kirk getting canned or he better make some changes. 2011-2014 was pretty awful

So glad to see someone not include 2010.

 

[BubsFinn]

Washington at 18 seems too high. Former Boise State coaches never seem to do well once they make the jump to the power conferences. Maybe Chris Peterson will be the exception. Coming off a ho-hum 6-6 2015 season, the coaches must think he's got something going in Seattle.

 

[studed]

Only 6 SEC teams ranked? Seems low. And only 3 in the top 15? What's the deal?

Also, who gave Tennessee a #1 vote? I get they have a chance to be a good team but pre-season #1?

I would have pegged Iowa from 12-15 so they are right on the lower range of where I expected them to be. You could easily make a case from them to be at 12 ahead of Houston, Ole MIss, and TCU.

i am sure butch jones was the one who voted his team number 1

 

[MITCH492]

15th is about right, maybe a bit high. But it doesn't really matter this time of the year anyway.

 

[fifteenandoh]

absolute bunch of bull poop.

there is absolutley no logical reason for these teams to be ahead of Iowa:

4. Florida State (1), 10-3, 1351
5. Ohio State, 12-1, 1321
6. LSU, 9-3, 1241
8. Michigan, 10-3, 1062
9. Notre Dame, 10-3, 1034
10. Tennessee (1), 9-4, 960
12. Mississippi, 10-3, 792
13. Houston, 13-1, 668
14. Texas Christian, 11-2, 649

 

[IAHawk2011]

absolute bunch of bull poop.

there is absolutley no logical reason for these teams to be ahead of Iowa:

4. Florida State (1), 10-3, 1351
5. Ohio State, 12-1, 1321
6. LSU, 9-3, 1241
8. Michigan, 10-3, 1062
9. Notre Dame, 10-3, 1034
10. Tennessee (1), 9-4, 960
12. Mississippi, 10-3, 792
13. Houston, 13-1, 668
14. Texas Christian, 11-2, 649

Lol you can't be serious....

 

[StormHawk42]

Washington at 18 seems too high. Former Boise State coaches never seem to do well once they make the jump to the power conferences. Maybe Chris Peterson will be the exception. Coming off a ho-hum 6-6 2015 season, the coaches must think he's got something going in Seattle.

Washington, Georgia, and A&M are three teams that are always way hyped to start the season and proceed to fall on their faces.

 

[CaptainCrunchies]

absolute bunch of bull poop.

there is absolutley no logical reason for these teams to be ahead of Iowa:

4. Florida State (1), 10-3, 1351
5. Ohio State, 12-1, 1321
6. LSU, 9-3, 1241
8. Michigan, 10-3, 1062
9. Notre Dame, 10-3, 1034
10. Tennessee (1), 9-4, 960
12. Mississippi, 10-3, 792
13. Houston, 13-1, 668
14. Texas Christian, 11-2, 649

There's a point where your fanhood gets in the way of common sense. Iowa had a great year but got crapped on in the Rose. Houston, Florida State, Michigan and Ohio State are universally considered better at this juncture. Tennessee and LSU are a bit overrated but they're in the SEC so it's bound to happen.

The great thing is we'll have a chance to see Iowa prove the pundits right or wrong again. Take care of business and the respect will come ( except from cowherd of course).

 

[fifteenandoh]

Lol you can't be serious....

I'm absolutely serious... these polls are a joke... really...
I hate to think people are this delusional...
but the Big Ten and the SEC are the 2 best Conferences among the Power 5.
Iowa was the 2nd best team in the Big Ten...
Iowa was undefeated in the regular season...

I can understand the 5 Conference winners of the Power 5 being ahead of Iowa
Alabama, Michigan State, Clemson, Stanford, and Oklahoma.

but...

Florida State had 3 losses last season... including one to Georgia Tech.... they didn't even win their division

Ohio State did not win their division

LSU had 3 losses and finished 4th in their division.

Michigan had 3 losses... it would have been much more had it not been for Iowa's quarterback... plus... they finished 3rd in their division.

Notre Dame is an absolute joke.. they don't play nobody... and nobody cares when they play against them... they never play a legitimate game all season.

Tennesse had 4 losses and finished 2nd in their division

Ole Miss had 3 losses including one to Memphis..... they finished 2nd in their division.

Houston is not even a Power 5 team... but they did win the American Athletic.. their lone loss was to UConn

TCU lost twice and finished 3rd in the Big12

Iowa's 2 losses were to 2 teams that won their Conference... Power 5 Conference
plus when you consider the phenomenal talent coming back this season...
I think you guys are missing the boat.

 

[anon_01irjibf16qqj]

I'm absolutely serious... these polls are a joke... really...
I hate to think people are this delusional...
but the Big Ten and the SEC are the 2 best Conferences among the Power 5.
Iowa was the 2nd best team in the Big Ten...
Iowa was undefeated in the regular season...

I can understand the 5 Conference winners of the Power 5 being ahead of Iowa
Alabama, Michigan State, Clemson, Stanford, and Oklahoma.

but...

Florida State had 3 losses last season... including one to Georgia Tech.... they didn't even win their division

Ohio State did not win their division

LSU had 3 losses and finished 4th in their division.

Michigan had 3 losses... it would have been much more had it not been for Iowa's quarterback... plus... they finished 3rd in their division.

Notre Dame is an absolute joke.. they don't play nobody... and nobody cares when they play against them... they never play a legitimate game all season.

Tennesse had 4 losses and finished 2nd in their division

Ole Miss had 3 losses including one to Memphis..... they finished 2nd in their division.

Houston is not even a Power 5 team... but they did win the American Athletic.. their lone loss was to UConn

TCU lost twice and finished 3rd in the Big12

Iowa's 2 losses were to 2 teams that won their Conference... Power 5 Conference
plus when you consider the phenomenal talent coming back this season...
I think you guys are missing the boat.

That's a lot of babbling for something that you consider a "joke"

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

Which SID voted Indiana as a Top 25 team?............

 

[J_Heater]

Washington at 18 seems too high. Former Boise State coaches never seem to do well once they make the jump to the power conferences. Maybe Chris Peterson will be the exception. Coming off a ho-hum 6-6 2015 season, the coaches must think he's got something going in Seattle.

They started a true freshman at QB last year. Jake Browning. I don't know if they will be ranked but their offense is going to be fun to watch this year. Myles Gaskin is probably the best back in the league not named McCaffrey

 

[Alum-Ni]

Which SID voted Indiana as a Top 25 team?............

I think Indiana is going to surprise some people this year.

 

[millah_22]

Good. More coverage, more good publicity, and its much easier to pitch to recruits when you're a top 15 school.

 

[funnyfletcher]

I think Indiana's defense will be better, but I don't see their offense being better. Sudfeld was a huge loss, and their running back isn't elite. They have some good WRs, but I think it will all depend on QB play.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

I think Indiana is going to surprise some people this year.

Nebraska?

 

[blockm2]

but...

Florida State had 3 losses last season... including one to Georgia Tech.... they didn't even win their division

Ohio State did not win their division

LSU had 3 losses and finished 4th in their division.

Michigan had 3 losses... it would have been much more had it not been for Iowa's quarterback... plus... they finished 3rd in their division.

Notre Dame is an absolute joke.. they don't play nobody... and nobody cares when they play against them... they never play a legitimate game all season.

Tennesse had 4 losses and finished 2nd in their division

Ole Miss had 3 losses including one to Memphis..... they finished 2nd in their division.

Houston is not even a Power 5 team... but they did win the American Athletic.. their lone loss was to UConn

TCU lost twice and finished 3rd in the Big12

Iowa's 2 losses were to 2 teams that won their Conference... Power 5 Conference
plus when you consider the phenomenal talent coming back this season...
I think you guys are missing the boat.

I'm curious, are you trying to argue about what the final poll rankings should've been last season? Because teams and personnel and coaches change from year to year. Preseason rankings should NOT simply be a regurgitation of last season. They should be a guess for the upcoming season.

Also why the weird rant about Notre Dame's schedule? They annually play a pretty difficult slate.

 

[5Fan5]

Good. More coverage, more good publicity, and its much easier to pitch to recruits when you're a top 15 school.

Especially if that top ten, fifteen, twenty accolade comes following a season.

Case in point? Name the team ranked top fifteen in the 2015 preseason poll.

 

[J_Heater]

I think Indiana is going to surprise some people this year.

Seriously? That team had 3 players that were pretty good last year in Sudfeld, Howard and Spriggs and I believe all 3 got drafted from the offense. This from a team that was fun to watch offensively but was never really in any position to surprise. What's on the depth chart that makes you think that? Just curious. That defense of theirs will keep them out of most games and Wilson has never showed any concern to getting that fixed.

 

[IAHawk2011]

I'm absolutely serious... these polls are a joke... really...
I hate to think people are this delusional...
but the Big Ten and the SEC are the 2 best Conferences among the Power 5.
Iowa was the 2nd best team in the Big Ten...
Iowa was undefeated in the regular season...

I can understand the 5 Conference winners of the Power 5 being ahead of Iowa
Alabama, Michigan State, Clemson, Stanford, and Oklahoma.

but...

Florida State had 3 losses last season... including one to Georgia Tech.... they didn't even win their division

Ohio State did not win their division

LSU had 3 losses and finished 4th in their division.

Michigan had 3 losses... it would have been much more had it not been for Iowa's quarterback... plus... they finished 3rd in their division.

Notre Dame is an absolute joke.. they don't play nobody... and nobody cares when they play against them... they never play a legitimate game all season.

Tennesse had 4 losses and finished 2nd in their division

Ole Miss had 3 losses including one to Memphis..... they finished 2nd in their division.

Houston is not even a Power 5 team... but they did win the American Athletic.. their lone loss was to UConn

TCU lost twice and finished 3rd in the Big12

Iowa's 2 losses were to 2 teams that won their Conference... Power 5 Conference
plus when you consider the phenomenal talent coming back this season...
I think you guys are missing the boat.

Sorry, I stopped reading when you said Notre Dame never plays anyone. Remember when they lost to the national runner-up on the final play of the game? FFS, some people are so stupid it's incomprehensible.

 

[J_Heater]

Only 6 SEC teams ranked? Seems low. And only 3 in the top 15? What's the deal?

Also, who gave Tennessee a #1 vote? I get they have a chance to be a good team but pre-season #1?

I would have pegged Iowa from 12-15 so they are right on the lower range of where I expected them to be. You could easily make a case from them to be at 12 ahead of Houston, Ole MIss, and TCU.

SEC had 8 teams top 25 last year preseason. Ended up with 5 at seasons end.

Arkansas, Georgia, Auburn, and Missouri dropped out.
Florida ended up ranked
Alabama, Ole Miss, LSU and Tennessee stayed in the Top 25.

The B1G last year preseason had 3 teams ranked. Sparty, Wisconsin and O$U.

Ended up with 6, Iowa, Northwestern and Michigan all ended up ranked.

Lesson learned: Pre-season polls are fun to talk about but really offer nothing of any value to the real task at hand.

 

[whatsup13579er]

SEC had 8 teams top 25 last year preseason. Ended up with 5 at seasons end.

Arkansas, Georgia, Auburn, and Missouri dropped out.
Florida ended up ranked
Alabama, Ole Miss, LSU and Tennessee stayed in the Top 25.

The B1G last year preseason had 3 teams ranked. Sparty, Wisconsin and O$U.

Ended up with 6, Iowa, Northwestern and Michigan all ended up ranked.

Lesson learned: Pre-season polls are fun to talk about but really offer nothing of any value to the real task at hand.

I know. Typically 3/4 of the SEC shows up in the preseason rankings because they're that good... I'm actually glad Iowa isn't in the top 10 to start the year. They proved last year you can be completely off the radar and still compete for the CFP.

 

[fifteenandoh]

Sorry, I stopped reading when you said Notre Dame never plays anyone. Remember when they lost to the national runner-up on the final play of the game? FFS, some people are so stupid it's incomprehensible.

Notre Dame played:
a 7 loss Texas team
an 8 loss Virginia team
a 9 loss Georgia Tech team
a 9 loss non power 5 UMass team
Clemson
a non power 5 Navy team
USC
a non power 5 Temple team
Pitt
a 9 loss Wake Forest team
a 9 loss Boston College team
and Stanford

only 4 of those games are against noteworthy teams and they only won 2 of them...
that means they only won 2 games last season that people look at and smile.

the problem is.... none of those games are legitimate... not even one.

Notre Dame never played in a Conference Game.... they never played in a Championship game.. the games they play are exhibition at best.... the teams they play don't get hurt in anyway when they play Notre Dame... it doesn't hurt anybodies Divisional or Conference record.... these games simply do not mean anything.

if Notre Dame was in a Conference... and they were playing Conference games...
then the games would matter.

think about this.... what if everybody was an "Independant" .... what if the NFL had "Independant" teams?.... then you would have to say its stupid...

but somehow because its COLLEGE... its not stupid?

I thought the smartest brightest people in the world were people associated with COLLEGE?... COLLEGE is about Academics... yet... these people can't figure out how to get Notre Dame into a Conference?

you know why Notre Dame doesn't join a Conference?

its because then they would have to play legitimate games... and they would have a legitimate schedule.... and they would get exposed.

Notre Dame SUCKS and I have no respect for anybody who roots for Notre Dame.

none what so ever

 

[ThomesG.Hey]

Notre Dame played:
a 7 loss Texas team
an 8 loss Virginia team
a 9 loss Georgia Tech team
a 9 loss non power 5 UMass team
Clemson
a non power 5 Navy team
USC
a non power 5 Temple team
Pitt
a 9 loss Wake Forest team
a 9 loss Boston College team
and Stanford

only 4 of those games are against noteworthy teams and they only won 2 of them...
that means they only won 2 games last season that people look at and smile.

the problem is.... none of those games are legitimate... not even one.

Notre Dame never played in a Conference Game.... they never played in a Championship game.. the games they play are exhibition at best.... the teams they play don't get hurt in anyway when they play Notre Dame... it doesn't hurt anybodies Divisional or Conference record.... these games simply do not mean anything.

if Notre Dame was in a Conference... and they were playing Conference games...
then the games would matter.

think about this.... what if everybody was an "Independant" .... what if the NFL had "Independant" teams?.... then you would have to say its stupid...

but somehow because its COLLEGE... its not stupid?

I thought the smartest brightest people in the world were people associated with COLLEGE?... COLLEGE is about Academics... yet... these people can't figure out how to get Notre Dame into a Conference?

you know why Notre Dame doesn't join a Conference?

its because then they would have to play legitimate games... and they would have a legitimate schedule.... and they would get exposed.

Notre Dame SUCKS and I have no respect for anybody who roots for Notre Dame.

none what so ever

 

[H4wkfan4life]

I'm absolutely serious... these polls are a joke... really...
I hate to think people are this delusional...
but the Big Ten and the SEC are the 2 best Conferences among the Power 5.
Iowa was the 2nd best team in the Big Ten...
Iowa was undefeated in the regular season...

I can understand the 5 Conference winners of the Power 5 being ahead of Iowa
Alabama, Michigan State, Clemson, Stanford, and Oklahoma.

but...

Florida State had 3 losses last season... including one to Georgia Tech.... they didn't even win their division

Ohio State did not win their division

LSU had 3 losses and finished 4th in their division.

Michigan had 3 losses... it would have been much more had it not been for Iowa's quarterback... plus... they finished 3rd in their division.

Notre Dame is an absolute joke.. they don't play nobody... and nobody cares when they play against them... they never play a legitimate game all season.

Tennesse had 4 losses and finished 2nd in their division

Ole Miss had 3 losses including one to Memphis..... they finished 2nd in their division.

Houston is not even a Power 5 team... but they did win the American Athletic.. their lone loss was to UConn

TCU lost twice and finished 3rd in the Big12

Iowa's 2 losses were to 2 teams that won their Conference... Power 5 Conference
plus when you consider the phenomenal talent coming back this season...
I think you guys are missing the boat.

Sorry, but we were not the 2nd best team in the B1G. MSU got very lucky to win the East. Fluke win over MI and OSU never even showed up......

That said preseason ARE WORTHLESS. NONE of these teams has played yet......

I'd prefer they not even have them as they F up the rankings for the 1st two months.....

 

[fifteenandoh]

 

[fifteenandoh]

good grief...
football is not a game of dice.