Why? Just why?
Unleashing hatred for the preseason polls and odds makers
Spring practice and games have passed.
The summer transfer portal is closed.
And so now we wait for the fall to get here.
But the beginning of my most-hated-of-all-seasons now 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 preseason 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 teams will acclimate to new conferences.
Texas and Oregon spring to mind.
Both teams will come in highly ranked but switching from the more pedestrian Big 12 and Pac 12 conferences to the SEC and Big 10, respectively. Expect some culture shock. And neither new conferences’ fan bases will be especially welcoming to either of these new teams.
Texas has a little more in the tank with an experienced starting quarterback in Quinn Ewers leading them. But how does the week-in and week-out grind of an SEC schedule wear on a quarterback with an injury filled past?
Oregon comes into the Big 10 with quarterback questions. Bo Nix is off to the Denver Broncos which means the Ducks will be breaking in a new signal caller all while trying to adjust to life in the fight it out Big 10 that won’t let Oregon have the ball for 90 plays a game.
These are just two top 5 preseason teams that have immediate questions.
Schedules are harder.
Georgia will be the best team (one sec, I just threw up) and have to go on the road to play Alabama and Texas.
There are so many quaterback questions across the country (Florida State, Michigan, Oklahoma, Ohio State, list goes on and on) that will play roles in everything.
What injuries will happen? Which surprise teams will arrive on the scene?
And quarterback 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 they may not be a contender. And if they are, they’ll have 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.