Mississippi State Football: Five Thoughts On The 2018 Preseason AP Poll
By Ethan Lee
Ohio State and West Virginia are two teams that immediately jump out to me as teams that are probably ranked too high, but for completely different reasons
There are two teams that definitely struck me as being ranked a bit too high, at least at the moment. Ohio State and West Virginia are receiving quite a bit of attention, but only one of these teams seems to have a real chance of living up to that hype, unless things continue to go sideways for them.
Ohio State could honestly be the 5th best team in the country right now. Having them in the top five isn’t overrating the Buckeyes at all. They’re an incredibly good team. However, there’s a ton of heat and pressure surrounding their coaching staff right now due to reports that have come out this offseason.
Those controversies aren’t a guarantee to derail their season, but it could certainly set them back quite a bit this year if Urban Meyer isn’t given his job back.
As for West Virginia, the Mountaineers are currently the No. 17 ranked team in the preseason AP Poll. They’re one spot ahead of MSU at the moment, which honestly makes very little sense due to how both teams performed last year.
West Virginia just didn’t have much of a spectacular year in 2017. The Mountaineers struggled after jumping out to a 7-3 record and finished the year at 7-6. Yes, Will Grier gives West Virginia an incredibly dynamic offense and a chance to win their games. However, who knows how healthy he will be this year. Their passing attack will be fully reliant on him being there. As he goes, his team will go.