Okay, it's the preseason, so it really doesn't mean anything (unless it's 2004 and you're Auburn), but LSU comes in at No. 6 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll. That's the one that counts in the BCS.

I'm a big advocate of coaches not having a poll because -- well honestly, there are a lot of reasons you'll probably hear about throughout the season (see Stoops, Bob, voting LSU sixth last year while trying to eek his way into the national title game). That said, you can't ignore the poll if you're a team hoping for a BCS berth or a national title shot.

Normally I'm a big complainer about the voting, but I really can't find too many faults with this poll. Clemson is ninth, but I'll believe it when I see it.

Auburn is always in the mix, but I'm just not sure if they're the 11th best team in the country. I know they were voted to win the SEC West, but how? They've got a question at quarterback and I don't remember them striking the fear of God in anyone last year to begin with. You can always count on the defense to be strong, but Tony Franklin is going to have to work wonders from the play calling booth to make that offense better. After all that, I can't argue any of the teams ranked below them ahead of the Tigers.

I think Arizona State will end up being better than No. 16, but that's just cause I think Dennis Erickson is a great football coach.

That's just some quick-look punditry at the first pre-season poll. I'm sure there will be plenty to follow.