You got to love the college football polls — even before most schools started their fall practice this past week, the USA Today Top 25 Coaches Poll was released. Yes, the poll from the very people who manage the game of big time college football was presented a full two weeks before the AP Writer’s Poll makes its debut, with not too many surprises for the football fanatic.

Though the vote wasn’t unanimous, there was no surprise when the Georgia Bulldogs received the No. 1 ranking from the college coaches followed by USC, Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Florida.  Perhaps the most notable thing is that the Southeast Conference (SEC) which has been arguably the strongest football conference over the past decade, is even stronger this year.

The SEC Continues To Dominate

With three of the top six teams in the country, the odds of another national championship showdown between the SEC champ and some other conference champion is quite good. And, with an 11-4 record in BCS games since 1998, the SEC winner has an excellent chance of taking home the national championship for the third consecutive year.

Without further delay the top teams in the preseason poll are as follows; first place votes are in parentheses and last year’s record follows:

1. Georgia (22) 11-2

2. Southern California (14) 11-2

3. Ohio State (14) 11-2

4. Oklahoma (3) 11-3

5. Florida (5) 9-4

6. LSU (3) 12-2

7. Missouri 12-2

8. West Virginia 11-2

9. Clemson 9-4

10. Texas 10-3

11. Auburn 9-4

12. Wisconsin 9-4

13. Kansas 12-1

14. Texas Tech 9-4

15. Virginia Tech 11-3

16. Arizona State 10-3

17. Brigham Young 11-2

18. Tennessee 10-4

19. Illinois 9-4

20. Oregon 9-4

21. South Florida 9-4

22. Penn State 9-4

23. Wake Forest 9-4

24. Michigan 9-4

25. Fresno State 9-4

Paterno’s Final Year?

Perhaps the sentimental favorite this year will be Penn State who, under the leadership of Joe Paterno for the 43rd consecutive season, has already sold out 107,282 seat Beaver Stadium for all seven of their home games. JoePa is now 81 year old and has had health issues of late, sparking talk that this will be his last season at the helm of the Nittany Lions.

Most Division 1 FCS teams will begin play over the Labor Day weekend with the national championship scheduled for January 8, 2009, at Dophin Stadium near Miami, FL.

(Source: USA Today)

Tags: Coaches Poll, college football, Georgia Bulldogs, Joe Paterno, Penn State, University of Georgia, USA Today

He is 81 years old and will be coaching his 43rd season when the Penn State Nittany Lions take to the field this fall. With 372 victories under his belt, the affectionately named “JoePa” is likely to make this coming season his last one. At least that is the rumor around College Station, PA and what is being reported by sports writers across the country.

Paterno’s contract ends after the 2008 season with no long term contract coming. University president Graham Spanier has met with Paterno to discuss his future and distributed a press release last week announcing that no contract was offered. Given Paterno’s age, the university may elect to go year-to-year with Paterno or they could be waiting until the season is over to announce their next step.

Paterno’s unwillingness to retire may be costing Penn State from recruiting some blue chip players. Despite back to back 9-4 seasons, the Nittany Lions have not had the dept to challenge for the Big Ten title as new students aren’t willing to commit if Paterno isn’t around and a succession order put in place. Thus far, the immensely popular Paterno has rebuffed suggestions that he should retire with no one willing to force the issue.

Penn State has won the national championship twice under Paterno, first in 1982 and again in 1986. Since joining the Big Ten conference beginning with the 1993 season, Paterno won conference championships in 1994 and 2005.

(Source: Philadephia Daily News)

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Tags: Big Ten Conference, college football, football coach, Joe Paterno, JoePa, Nittany Lions, Penn State, Student Loans