It’s officially that time of year again! As summer winds down, you can almost smell football season in the air. Earlier this week, USA Today released their Top 25 Coaches Poll, and I'm here to share my immediate thoughts and reactions. Which teams are ranked too high? Which ones are too low? Let's dive into the rankings and explore the surprises and snubs in this year's poll.

Too High: Florida State

I’m going to start with a team that I think is just a little bit too high in the rankings: the Florida State Seminoles.  I mean, I can’t say I don’t understand the number 10 ranking.  However, I don’t think this FSU team is quite a top 10 level team.  Offensively, I have two main questions about the Seminoles.   First, they replace quarterback Jordan Travis with DJ Uiagalelei (Oregon State) and I think this might be a problem in their bigger games.  DJ should be fine in the games the Seminoles are favored in, but last season, when they needed big plays against Clemson or LSU, Jordan Travis delivered in ways I’m not sure DJ can replicate. 

Additionally, Florida State’s receiving corps has seen a lot of changes and, in my opinion, has significantly downgraded from last year. Malik Benson is an interesting addition from Alabama, and Jakhi Douglas should be solid, but neither are on the same level as Keon Coleman or Johnny Wilson. Overall, while I believe the defense and running game will remain strong, the passing game is likely to take a significant step back, which is why I wouldn’t rank the Seminoles in the top 10.

Too low: clemson

Too Low: Clemson 

Staying in the ACC, I think Clemson is actually pretty underrated.  Personally, I would actually have Clemson ranked higher than Florida State.  I understand it was a “down year” for the Tigers last season, but they still went 9-4. People forget what a powerhouse this program has been under Head Coach Dabo Swinney. Offensively, it is year two for Offensive Coordinator Garrett Riley, and while I don’t think quarterback Cade Klubnik is a star, I think he will look a lot better in the second year of a new system that has proven successful before.  

He also has a much better receiving room then Clemson has had in years.  True freshmen Bryant Wesco and TJ Moore should both make an impact right away and they return Tyler Brown who is poised for a big season.  Defensively, while I wish Dabo would hit the portal for some better depth, the starters at most positions seem to be some of the best in the country.  I also think true freshman linebacker Sammy Brown will be an impact starter immediately in a very talented group of linebackers.  Overall, while I understand the gripes about Dabo and Clemson, I think the Tigers are a top-ten team and will prove it in the 2024 season.   

Too low: Oklahoma

It is no secret that I am a huge fan of Oklahoma going into 2024.  I understand their win total is only 7.5 and that they have one of the toughest schedules in the country, but this is a preseason poll.  You aren’t projecting the teams that will finish with the best records, you are ranking the top 25 teams and Oklahoma is much better than the 16th best team in the country.  I think the Sooners are a top-ten level team and a lot of that is due to Brent Venables and their defense.  I already talked about this defense in my article ranking the top 10 defenses in the country, but they are elite.  They were solid last season, but return many of their stars like safety Billy Bowman, linebacker Danny Strutsman, and defensive back Kendel Dolby.  They also brought in a few transfers to fill holes on the defensive line and I trust Head Coach Brent Venables to field an elite defense with this much talent.  

Offensively, I think quarterback Jackson Arnold is ready to step in and be a great player this season. It helps that he also has great weapons around him, like Nic Anderson and Purdue transfer Deion Burks, to throw to.  While I understand the questions about the losses on the offensive line and the offensive coaching changes, I think the Sooners have a top-ten level team, even if their record at the end of the year doesn’t exactly portray that.

Too high: Notre dame

I really like Notre Dame this year.  Their defense has potential to be the best group in the entire country, and I think they have lots of good pieces on offense.  I also want to say I expect this team to be playing in the Playoff at the end of the year.  However, I can’t quite justify them as the number seven team in the country.  My questions with this team primarily fall with the offensive line. Earlier this week, their projected starting left tackle Charles Jagusah went down with a season-ending shoulder injury. While this may not seem like a huge deal, Notre Dame was already working to replace both of their tackles from last season, who were NFL draft picks. Now, not only do they lose those key players, but also one of their bright, young freshmen who was projected to start.

Quarterback Riley Leonard also transfers in from Duke, where he was great when he was on the field, but he also suffered from multiple injuries. An injury-prone quarterback behind a questionable offensive line tends to be a very bad combination, especially when facing teams like Texas A&M, Louisville, and Florida State, who all have exceptional defensive lines. Overall, while I think Notre Dame has the potential to be a top-ten team, these question marks make it hard to justify their preseason ranking.