The USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll has been released ahead of the 2022 college football season.
The Georgia Bulldogs, fresh off of their first national championship in 41 years, will start the season at No. 3 in the nation as they look to repeat.
As always, there were some surprises in the first edition of the poll this season, and we outlined some of the biggest ones below.
Let us know what we missed. You can also view the full top 25 here.
5
The SEC had the most schools, but it should have had more
The SEC leads the way with six schools in the top 25: Alabama, 1; Georgia, 3; Texas A&M, 7; Kentucky, 21; Arkansas, 23; Ole Miss, 24.
But where are Tennessee and LSU? Both, in my opinion, are more deserving than some of the other schools inside the top 25. You could even make the case for Auburn, but I actually like that the Tigers were left out because we all know they’re going 5-7.
4
Texas A&M at No. 7 is too high
A&M should be good this year, and I expect the Aggies to finish second in the SEC West. But they don’t even know who is starting at quarterback this season.
A lot of preseason hype is coming their way. I think that’s likely thanks to their recruiting class, but those new guys still need to play a game.
3
Utah is better than No. 8
Utah is better than both Texas A&M (No. 7) and Notre Dame (No. 5). People think poorly of the Pac-12, and that made Utah a victim of being underrated in this top 25. Quarterback Cameron Rising and running back Tavion Thomas are two of the best at their position in America.
2
Where is Iowa? Penn State?
Iowa made it to the Big Ten Championship game, where it was destroyed by Michigan last year. But it made it there behind a great defense. The Hawkeyes received 248 points, meaning they were the first ones out.
Penn State was the second one out with 246 points. It lost five regular season games last season, but all were within nine points. This one’s a little more understandable though seeing how the Nittany Lions have had back-to-back bad seasons.
1
Texas received a first-place vote?
Does this mean the Longhorns are back? Despite checking in at No. 18 in the rankings, Texas received one first-place vote.
The only other schools to receive a first place vote were Alabama, Georgia and Ohio State.
