The Sun Devils football team has been given a lot of respect going into the 2011 season by the local media, and even the national hype train has begun rolling.
The USA Today Coaches Poll tells a similar story: our ASU football team is ranked 26th overall, barely missing the Top 25 by a mere three points. They were edged out by Penn State and Texas, teams that are rich on tradition and name recognition.
These polls are a nice barometer for national opinion, but nothing should be gleaned from these biased voting arrangements. Besides, the Sun Devils haven't earned a bowl berth in three years, so getting this much respect is remarkable in preseason polls.
I'd rather be unrated than overrated. Go Devils!
Others receiving votes
Arizona State (6-6) 158; West Virginia (9-4) 149; Utah (10-3) 50; Miami (Fla.) (7-6) 49; Iowa (8-5) 41; Northwestern (7-6) 30; Arizona (7-6) 28; Central Florida (11-3) 22; Michigan (7-6) 19; Air Force (9-4) 15; North Carolina (8-5) 14; Houston (5-7) 13; South Florida (8-5) 9; Hawaii (10-4) 8; Clemson (6-7) 7; Tennessee (6-7) 7; Southern Miss (8-5) 6; Brigham Young (7-6) 5; North Carolina State (9-4) 4; Northern Illinois (11-3) 4; Oregon State (5-7) 4; Pittsburgh (8-5) 3; Washington (7-6) 3; Georgia Tech (6-7) 1; Nevada (13-1) 1.