ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates with the trophy after defeating the Spartans 38 to 0 in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on December 31, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Preseason Coaches Poll keeps Alabama on top with surprises underneath

The full poll is out.

With the 2017 college football season beginning later this month, there has been a great deal of anticipation about what the preseason coaches poll would look like when released. Now, we know.

The initial poll came to light on Thursday and, at the top, there is no surprise in the Alabama Crimson Tide. However, the Ohio State Buckeyes arrive at No. 2 overall, which is something of a stunner given the preseason hype surrounding Jimbo Fisher and the Florida State Seminoles. Beyond that, Clemson makes an appearance in the top 5 despite the loss of Deshaun Watson and a great deal of talent on both sides of the ball.

Also of interest is Michigan, with only five returning starters, cracking the top 10 and that appears to be a nod of respect toward Jim Harbaugh as something of a miracle worker. From a non-Power 5 perspective, South Florida leads the way but there is a noticeable lack of buzz as a general rule. Finally, Tom Herman and Texas make an appearance in the bottom quadrant on the precipice of his first season in charge.

The full poll is below:

  1. Alabama
  2. Ohio State
  3. Florida State
  4. USC
  5. Clemson
  6. Penn State
  7. Washington
  8. Oklahoma
  9. Michigan
  10. Wisconsin
  11. Oklahoma State
  12. LSU
  13. Auburn
  14. Stanford
  15. Georgia
  16. Florida
  17. Louisville
  18. Miami (Fla.)
  19. Kansas State
  20. West Virginia
  21. South Florida
  22. Virginia Tech
  23. Texas
  24. Tennessee
  25. Utah