Kansas Atop Preseason Poll

NFL News - October 29th, 2009 - Written by John

If it had been all about talent, the Kansas Jayhawks would have been a no-brainer to claim the top over other College Football Teams, spot of the preseason USA Today top-25 coaches' poll. But with as many internal problems as external, it took a little extra for voters to give them the edge.

In the end, those distractions took a backseat as the Jayhawks were awarded the no. 1 spot in the preseason for the first time since 2004.

The team that beat the Jayhawks in last year's NCAA tournament is right behind. Last year's runner-up in the championship game, Michigan State, is second in the poll, followed by Texas and North Carolina. Texas made one of the biggest jumps from last year after losing to Duke in the second round of the tournament and finishing 23rd. The Tar Heels, meanwhile, sit at fourth after winning their second National Title in four years and are clearly the team to beat in a loaded ACC.

With new head coach John Calipari, pollsters believe Kentucky can return to the spotlight, ranking them fifth after being left out of the polls a year ago. They are coming off one of their worst years since joining the SEC, going 18-11 and losing four conference games.

Final Four team, Villanova, is sixth, followed by Purdue, Duke, West Virginia and Butler.

Six Big East teams are in the top-25, most of any conference, and the Big Ten is second with five.

Kansas was riddled with issues through the off-season. First it was junior guard Brady Morningstar who was suspended for the first semester after being arrested in early October on suspicion of a DUI.

In September, members of the basketball team were involved in a fight with the school's football team that left several players injured.

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