FSU Ranks 19th in Preseason Coaches Poll

A 7-6 finish to the 2017 season didn’t stop Florida State from starting 2018 in the top 20.

FSU will begin the year ranked No. 19 in the Amway Coaches Poll. It’s the lowest preseason start for the Seminoles in the poll since the last time they were breaking in a new head coach.

Florida State began the 2010 season ranked No. 20 in the first year under Jimbo Fisher. With new head coach Willie Taggart at the helm, the Seminoles are among four ACC teams ranked in the preseason poll.

Topping the poll was defending national champion Alabama, followed by Clemson, Ohio State, Georgia and Oklahoma. Washington, Wisconsin, Miami, Penn State and Auburn rounded out the top 10.

In addition to FSU, No. 2 Clemson and No. 8 Miami, Virginia Tech showed up at No. 17 in the poll. The Seminoles and Hokies will open the 2018 campaign against one another in Tallahassee on Sept. 3. The only other preseason ranked opponent that shows up on FSU’s schedule is No. 11 Notre Dame, who will host the Seminoles on Nov. 10.

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson