KU preseason #26 in USA Today Coaches Poll

Mangino's Jayhawks begin the 2009 campaign ranked #26 in the USA Today Coaches Poll which was released earlier today (Aug. 7). The Hawks just missed the top 25 by less than 30 votes. I myself, am not a big proponent of preseason polls and would rather they wait till after week four for the first polls to be released. Having said that, it does allow you to pimp your team and begin to speculate if you were dissed or not as the season begins to shine upon us.

The top five as voted by the coaches came as no suprise: Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, USC, and Alabama. Oklahoma State #11 & Nebraska #22 round out the rest of the Big 12 teams that were deemed tough enough to make the Top 25.

USC is getting a lot of love, but d0 face some huge losses to the NFL. Coach Pete Carroll has proven over the last 7-8 years that the Trojans just continue to reload and replace stars with second teamers. They do have a big hole to fill at QB and they do play three teams ranked in the TOP 23 all on the road in the first half of the season.

One suprise to me is the #14 ranking of the Oregon Ducks. The team with more uniform combinations than sandwich combinations at your local Subway returns only 9 total starters and are under the direction of new coach Chip Kelley.

It all kicks off in 27 days when the Oregon Ducks travels to Boise St. on Thursday night September 3rd for what should be the kickoff of an exciting weekend in college football. Other key games that opening weekend include: Virginia Tech @ Alabama(in Atlanta), Georgia @ Oklahoma State, BYU @ Oklahoma(in Dallas), and Miami @ Florida State.