TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Amway Coaches Poll released its preseason rankings on Thursday, and the Florida State football team received a ranking worthy of its high aspirations for the 2016 season.
The Seminoles will start the season ranked No. 4, behind only defending national champion Alabama, national runner-up Clemson and 2015 College Football Playoff participant Oklahoma. FSU received one first-place vote and was one of only three teams (Alabama 55, Clemson 7) to garner a first-place vote.
Ohio State is right behind FSU at No. 5.
It’s the second-highest preseason Coaches Poll ranking for FSU under coach Jimbo Fisher, and the highest since the Seminoles started the 2014 season ranked No. 1.
What already figured to be a difficult schedule was confirmed as such by this year’s preseason poll, as the Seminoles will face five opponents who are ranked in the preseason top 25
That includes the season-opener on Sept. 5 against No. 12 Mississippi in Orlando, a visit to No. 23 Louisville on Sept. 17, and home games against No. 20 North Carolina on Oct. 1, No. 2 Clemson on Oct. 29 and No. 25 Florida on Nov. 26.
FSU opponents Miami and South Florida were among those receiving votes.
The Seminoles begin fall camp on Tuesday, Aug. 9.
View the full poll here.
Florida State’s Preseason Coaches Poll Rankings Under Jimbo Fisher (final ranking in parentheses)
2010 – 20 (16)
2011 – 5 (23)
2012 – 7 (8)
2013 – 12 (1)
2014 – 1 (6)
2015 – 8 (14)
