College Football Rankings: Preseason Coaches Poll

The college football preseason coaches poll is out and it is not a surprise that Purdue is unranked. The Boilers have a lot to prove, and it is hard to believe that it entered the Northwestern game last season just outside the top 25. This season marks 14 years since Purdue was last in the top 25, the longest active Power 5 streak, but there is definitely a chance as Purdue gets five preseason top 25 teams:

1. Alabama (63) 1,621
2. Clemson 1,508
3. Oklahoma (2) 1,481
4. Ohio State 1,435
5. Georgia 1,386
6. Texas A&M 1,286
7. Notre Dame 1,139
8. Iowa State 1,131
9. North Carolina 999
10. Cincinnati 979
11. Florida 870
12. Oregon 842
13. LSU 664
14. USC 655
15. Wisconsin 654
16. Miami (FL) 575
17. Indiana 573
18. Iowa 554
19. Texas 427
20. Penn State 422
21. Washington 404
22. Oklahoma State 216
23. Louisiana-Lafayette 153
24. Coastal Carolina 150
25. Mississippi 149

Others Receiving Votes: Utah 145; Northwestern 120; Arizona State 90; Auburn 84; Liberty 68; Brigham Young 53; Texas Christian 48; Michigan 30; Central Florida 29; NC State 27; Boise State 27; Kentucky 20; San Jose State 18; Army 13; Virginia Tech 9; Missouri 8; UCLA 7; Tulsa 6; Pittsburgh 6; Boston College 6; Houston 5; Ball State 5; West Virginia 4; Southern Methodist 4; Appalachian State 4; UAB 3; Arkansas 3; Nevada 2; Mississippi State 2; Air Force 2; Stanford 1; Marshall 1; Florida State 1; California 1.

My bold prediction: Purdue beats one of the five ranked teams it faces, most likely Indiana or Iowa. I also think we win 7 games. There is a real chance to start 4-1, then Purdue needs three wins among Iowa, Michigan State, Nebraska, Northwestern, and Indiana. A Purdue good enough to start 4-1 is good enough to win three of those five.