USC at No. 15 in the Preseason Coaches Poll
The USC Trojans and the rest of college football now know where they will take their marks to start the 2022 college season as the Preseason Coaches Poll was released on Monday. USC will start the season at No. 15 in the Coaches Poll, a significant statement that many across the country believe the Trojans did enough in one offseason to turn a 4-8 program into one that can compete nationally this year.
Alabama holds a commanding lead in the poll. The Crimson Tide collected 54 first-place votes. Ohio State is the No. 2 team and received five first-place votes. Georgia, the defending national championships, collected six first-place votes and starts at No. 3. Texas grabbed the other first-place vote, something of an oddity considering the Longhorns will start at No. 18 in the poll.
Clemson and Notre Dame round out the top five programs.
It’s a similar start for the Trojans as last season. USC entered the 2021 season as the No. 14 team in the Preseason Coaches Poll. The Trojans did not finish there after stumbling to a 4-8 record.
USC’s Strong Offseason
USC made plenty of noise this offseason. In an offseason of blockbuster moves by head coaches, the Trojans made the biggest splash in luring Lincoln Riley away from Oklahoma. He then hit the transfer portal hard, grabbing quarterback Caleb Williams, wide receiver Jordan Addison and running back Travis Dye to give the Trojans the best skill trio in the conference. It’s also one of the best in the country.
The questions are on defense. Defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu is one of the top players on that side of the ball in the Pac-12. But little else is a guarantee for the Trojans. Linebacker Shane Lee was another big addition out of the transfer portal. He’s a likely team captain this fall and served as one of the leaders when it came to installing a revamped culture for the Trojans. Cornerback transfer Mekhi Blackmon asserted himself after coming over from Colorado. And safety Calen Bullock looks poised to have a breakout season.
USC is the No. 3 Pac-12 program in the Coaches Poll. Utah, which won the conference title game last season, starts the season at No. 8. Oregon, the other conference championship game participant, is No. 12.
The Pac-12 has three teams in the top 25, which is fewer than any of the other Power 5 programs. The SEC leads the way with six. The ACC has five. The Big Ten and Big 12 each have five. Oklahoma and USC will be forever linked as long as Riley is coaching the Trojans. The Sooners start the season at No. 9.
Preseason Coaches Poll Top 25
- Alabama (54 first-place votes)
- Ohio State (5)
- Georgia (6)
- Clemson
- Notre Dame
- Michigan
- Texas A&M
- Utah
- Oklahoma
- Baylor
- Oklahoma State
- Oregon
- NC State
- Michigan State
- USC
- Pittsburgh
- Miami
- Texas (1)
- Wake Forest
- Wisconsin
- Kentucky
- Cincinnati
- Arkansas
- Ole Miss
- Houston
