Florida State Ranked No. 3 in 2017 Preseason Coaches Poll

The Preseason Coaches Poll was released on Thursday afternoon and Florida State found itself ranked third overall. The Seminoles are coming off a 10-3 season in 2016 that ended with a dramatic 33-32 win over the Michigan Wolverines in the Orange Bowl.

Thursday’s ranking continues a familiar trend for Florida State football. The Seminoles have now been ranked in nine straight preseason Coaches Polls, with their last No. 1 ranking coming in 2014. Last preseason they were ranked No. 4 and finished No. 8. A slight disappointment, but also a bit surprising when one realizes they were 5-3 at one point and barely cracking the top 20.

The season opener against the Alabama Crimson Tide is slotted to be a No. 1 vs. No. 3 match-up — the highest ranked in Florida State history. Ohio State separates the squads at the No. 2 position. USC at No. 4 and Clemson at No. 5 round out the top 5.

Five other ACC teams were included. From the Seminoles’ own Atlantic division, the Clemson Tigers look to defend their national championship from the fifth spot. Included are the Louisville Cardinals at No. 17. In the Coastal division, the Miami Hurricanes lead with a No. 18 ranking. The only other team ranked is the Virginia Tech Hokies at No. 22.

In-state rival Florida also made an appearance at 16th overall. According to the preseason Coaches Poll, the Seminoles will face five teams ranked in the top 25.

The rest of the poll can be found here.