First, we have to thank the voters for the disrespect........but what was most interesting was IU had the 2nd most 1st place votes to OSU (I believe they had 38 & IU 14), and the third team (maybe Oregon?) had 6 or 8 (can't recall exactly), and was still ranked 6th.
Anyway, it seems like about half the voters still aren't entirely buying this program, OR are pissed at GIG, while the other half are now true believers. In any event, glad we can still claim underdog status, and hope CIG can make the most of it.
I saw someone theorize that Cignetti left us out of his submission to tank our ranking and create some bulletin board content 
Texas and OSU play each other early on. It'll be interesting where the loser falls to. I'd guess if Texas loses, IU will pass them up. OSU, might stay above IU even with a loss.
Unless Oklahoma beats Georgia in late September, there probably won't be a lot of movement in the top 7-8 spots, the first 4-5 weeks of the season...outside the movement the OSU/Texas game creates.
OSU game, assuming IU is still undefeated, and OSU has zero or 1 loss (Texas)... should be a top 5 matchup. I personally hope OSU comes in Number 1. That'd probably be Big Noon, and we've all seen what IU does to teams in Bloomington in Big Noon games.
@hoosiernation1887 aren't there like 70 voters? Think it's more likely the SEC teams are haters/not believers!
IU should be #1 because they are #1 until proven otherwise.
@littlebitchbuckeye I don't think they should rank any teams until about week 5 of 6. But that's never going to happen.
Defending National Champion, regardless of the polls.
preseason polls should be banned because each poll after it uses it as a guide when moving teams up and down.
Even though the preseason rankings are based on zilch, they effect how easy it is to move up or down the rankings. The SEC has so many ranked teams for most of the season because most of the leagues gets ranked in the preseason and that makes every win and loss a good one (losses don't hurt much and wins give a big boost). How can you have a bad loss when everyone is ranked?
@hurryinghoosiers I think they're incredibly flawed, and they can impact things later in the year when it really matters. But by and large, they're not based on nothing. Returning talent, coaching history, incoming talent... all factored in, obviously. But with today's portal world, the rankings really aren't much use until teams get well in to their conference seasons.
@hurryinghoosiers I think they're incredibly flawed, and they can impact things later in the year when it really matters. But by and large, they're not based on nothing. Returning talent, coaching history, incoming talent... all factored in, obviously. But with today's portal world, the rankings really aren't much use until teams get well in to their conference seasons.
How much research do you think the media and coaches actually do before coming up with these polls?
I don't think the research is thorough enough to make the polls worth much at all. And definitely not worth the lasting effect they have on polls during the season.
My preference would be to have the first rankings after four weeks but fans want to argue and compare all summer...that makes it fun.
@iunorth I agree with you but of course these polls are meaningless and just for fun. I was disappointed to see my Buckeyes ranked #1. I think you guys and Cignetti must love the disrespect as a motivator, not that it's necessarily needed.
How much research do you think the media and coaches actually do before coming up with these polls?
The coaches? None whatsoever. They probably ask a GA to fill it out and then they take a cursory look and say "ok".
@hurryinghoosiers I think they're incredibly flawed, and they can impact things later in the year when it really matters. But by and large, they're not based on nothing. Returning talent, coaching history, incoming talent... all factored in, obviously. But with today's portal world, the rankings really aren't much use until teams get well in to their conference seasons.
How much research do you think the media and coaches actually do before coming up with these polls?
I don't think the research is thorough enough to make the polls worth much at all. And definitely not worth the lasting effect they have on polls during the season.
I agree the impact flawed preseason polls on how teams are viewed, even when the CFP rankings come out later in the season, can affect who gets in, who is out, etc - especially in light how how little time the coaches think about any other team besides their own week to week. Its definitely a GA or someone else filling in the slots for probably 95% of voting members of the coaching community.
Last year, the preseason Coaches Poll had the following top-12 (ostensibly who should qualify for the CFP, knowing the #1 G5, now G6 school bumps out #12):
1. Texas (28)
2. Ohio State (20)
3. Penn State (14)
4. Georgia (3)
5. Notre Dame
6. Clemson (2)
7. Oregon
8. Alabama
9. LSU
10. Miami (FL)
11. Arizona State
12. Illinois
Of those 12, Texas, Penn State, Notre Dame, Clemson (with 2 first place votes??), LSU, Arizona State and Illinois all missed the CFP - and only Texas and Notre Dame remained in the top 25 final CFP rankings. Last season will probably never happen again (2 G6 teams making the CFP), and Notre Dame is now guaranteed a berth if they finish in the top 12 - but the fact 7 of the top 12 didn't make the CFP, and 5 of the top 12 didn't even finish the season in the top 25 shows how flawed these preseason polls are - yet they are important in setting up the narrative of who is better all season long.