Football is in the air. As July closes, college football camps are about to open, with NFL camps already in full swing. Earlier this month, conference media days kicked off with the Big 12, followed by the ACC, SEC and the Big Ten this week.
With camps about to begin, that means one thing: preseason polls are getting dropped for the upcoming season. That's just what they are: preseason polls. How much stock should you put into them? Not much, really. However, despite not putting too much stock into them, it can create some funny and even head-scratching storylines.
ACC preseason football poll latest example of how useless preseason polls are
To nobody's surprise, Miami was an overwhelming favorite, getting by far and away the most first-place votes. Nobody will argue that; however, that creates more pressure for head coach Mario Cristobal and company to get over the hump in 2026 and get to the ACC Championship Game and win it in early December.
After that, it's anyone's guess as to how things are going to shake out. Honestly, flip a coin and good luck figuring things out. SMU was predicted second and Louisville third. Given the returning players, the talent, and the success the Mustangs have had in the ACC since joining, would it surprise anyone if they are back in the title game this season?
Where things get completely wacky and embarrassing is with the bottom half of the poll. Florida State was picked 11th in the poll, but they got three votes to win the conference. I kid you not. If you think that was bizarre, boy, do I have another one for you. Stanford was picked to finish dead last at No. 17, but they received a vote to win the conference. I couldn't make that up if I tried. Heck, while we're at it, let's give Bill Belichick and North Carolina a first-place vote, as they were picked 15th. Why not throw Bill O'Brien and Boston College a bone at No. 16 with a first-place vote?
Honestly, what this poll tells us is that at least four voters didn't take it seriously by giving FSU three first-place votes and Stanford one. I mean, honestly, how can you submit that with a straight face? You can't. Even the biggest homers of those teams couldn't justify giving either team just one first-place vote.
Let's just kick back and count down the days until Week 0 comes at the end of August, then we have to wait one more week for James Franklin's first game in Blacksburg. It can't get here quick enough.
Add us as a preferred source on Google