Preseaon Poll Ranking 2008

As the 2008 football season came to end, it is the time to evaluate which preseason poll was most accurate (or questionable thereof).

In my evaluation, you will be penalized if your top 25 teams would end up with losing records. Ranked Clemson in top 10? Oops! Ranked Michigan in top 25? Uh-oh!


Best Preseason Polls


3rd Prize - NationalChamps.net (score: -32)

• The good: Florida, Oklahoma and Texas all ranked top 10
• The bad: 15th through 18th, Auburn, Arizona State, Tennessee and Illinois
• The ugly: No real ugly picks

2nd Prize - Athlon (score: -29)

• The good: Florida in 1st, Oklahoma in 3rd
• The bad: 17th through 19th, Arizona State, Illinois and Tennessee
• The ugly: Auburn in 10th

1st Prize - Phil Steele (score: -28)

• The good: Florida in 1st, Oklahoma in 3rd, Arizona State and Illinois not ranked top 25
• The bad: Auburn in 12th, Notre Dame in 19th
• The ugly: Clemson in 5th

Worst Preseason Polls


3nd Prize - Sports Illustrated (score: -40)

• The good: Ranked Florida and Oklahoma in top 5, Alabama in top 25
• The bad: Clemson in 11th, Tennessee in 12th, Arizona State in 16th and Illinois in th19
• The ugly: Auburn in 9th

2rd Prize - Rivals.com (score: -41)

• The good: Florida in 1st, Oklahoma in 3rd
• The bad: Arizona State in 16th, Illinois in 18th and Tennessee in 19th
• The ugly: Auburn in 7th, Clemson in 9th

1st Prize - Sporting News (score: -44)

• The good: Oklahoma in 4th, ranked Alabama in top 25
• The bad: Auburn in 16th, Arizona State in 17th, and Tennessee in 22th
• The ugly: Clemson in 7th, Illinois in 10th and Michigan in 18th

Preseaon Ranking Source: Wikipedia