We have one of the first set of preseason rankings of 2019
CBS Sports released the top ten of its preseason Top 130 on Monday, and the top of the rankings very much resemble the way last season ended. They have the reigning champion Clemson Tigers as its number one team to start the season.
Behind the Tigers is last season’s runner up, Alabama. With their 44-16 defeat to Clemson in last season’s national title game still fresh on everyone’s mind, it’s the Tigers who are getting the benefit of the doubt to start the season instead of Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide.
The rest of the top ten is as follows
3. Oklahoma
4. Georgia
5. Ohio State
6. LSU
7. Michigan
8. Florida
9. Texas
10. Notre Dame
Ed Orgeron and the LSU Tigers are getting lots of preseason love. Hey, after they ended that UCF winning streak, give them all the love you like. They’ll still lose one along the way that they shouldn’t.
Speaking of losing games you shouldn’t, Michigan is another team getting a lot of preseason attention. Captain Khaki Pants and his Fightin’ Harbaugh’s are a trendy pick amongst some media members to make the playoff in 2019. How about let’s see them beat Ohio State first. Let’s see them beat any top ten team first.
Florida at number eight is intriguing. Going into the second year of the Dan Mullen era, look for the Gators to take a step forward after finishing 10-3 in 2018. Their annihilation of Michigan in the Peach Bowl could springboard them into contending with Georgia in the East.
One could argue that Texas deserves to be a little higher after they destroyed Georgia in last season’s Sugar Bowl. Since everyone knows that Georgia didn’t really want to be there and therefore didn’t show up, eighth it is for the Longhorns.
At the end of the day this is just another preseason poll that means nothing in the grand scheme of things. However, it’s refreshing to see someone other than Alabama getting that benefit of the doubt for a change.
*The full CBS Preseason Top 130 will be released on August 6.
