Why, just why……
My unbridled hatred for preseason polls
Spring practice and games have passed. The summer transfer portal is closed. And now we wait for the fall to get. But the beginnings of my most hated of all seasons begins: preseason rankings.
Why does this continue to be a thing? It puts potentially unrealistic expectations on teams that don’t need them. And it leaves out teams that may actually be good. Washington from last season stands out as a team that wasn’t talked about enough prior to the season. Clemson was a top 10 darling and they were not good to start the year.
This year presents even more complications as to why preseason polls should calm down. With conference realignment in full swing I wonder how those teams acclimate into a new conference. Texas and Oregon spring to mind. Both teams will come in highly ranked but switching from a more pedestrian Big 12 and Pac 12 to the SEC and Big 10 respectively will be a culture shock. And neither new conferences fan bases will be especially welcoming to these new teams.
Texas has a little more in the tank with an experienced QB in Quinn Ewers leading them. But how does the week in and week out grind of an SEC schedule wear on a QB with an injury filled past?
Oregon comes into the Big 10 with QB questions. Bo Nix is off to Denver and they will be breaking in a new signal caller all while trying to adjust to life in the friend it out Big 10 that won’t let Oregon have the ball for 90 plays a game.
These are two top 5 preseason teams who will have immediate questions. Schedules are harder. Georgia will be the best team (one sec I threw up) and they have to go on the road to Alabama and Texas. There are so many QB questions across the country (FSU, Michigan, Oklahoma, Ohio State, list goes on and on) that will play rolls in everything. Want injuries happen, which surprise teams will arrive? And QB stability isn’t the end all be all. My Gators are a good example of that, they have a stable QB room but their schedule dictates that they may not be a contender. And if they are you’ve completely blown up all the preseason notions.
Gamblers have their odds and they may know better than anyone, but don’t kid yourself. This is a year of unknowns and pure guess work. It’s why preseason rankings are nonsense. Except Georgia. Ugh.