The WCGA released the 2021 preseason coaches poll yesterday, so we decided to break it all down and discuss our thoughts about the pick for No. 1, the 36 teams that made the list and what we would do differently.
Think the coaches got it wrong? What does your top 36 look like? Let us know in the comments or on social media!
What are your initial impressions when looking at the results?
Elizabeth: Wildly enough, I think it’s one of the most “accurate” preseason polls we’ve had in years. Dropping UCLA, having Florida No. 1… It’s like the coaches did actual research this time around (or maybe they just peeked at our poll for some tips).
Emily M: The amount of change from the 2020 final rankings! The coaches’ poll usually adheres pretty closely to the previous season’s results. I love that they clearly really sat down and thought about it this year.
Mary Emma: The results are different than what I expected. Echoing Emily here—usually it seems like the coaches follow the rankings from last year closely, but it looks like they really thought about them this time around.
Talitha: My first thought was that not having had a postseason has clearly affected predictions for the year ahead more than I had envisioned. As Emily said, coaches really took some time to think about it, and I appreciate the effort.
Katie: I was surprised not to see Oklahoma at No. 1 heading into the season since it’s consistently been at the top. I also think the COVID-19 shortened season impacted the analysis of the 2021 sophomore class, since their freshman year was cut short.
Claire: I’m pleasantly surprised! Not because I agree with all of the placements, but because there are some actual surprises in there. I also love that Florida and Oklahoma each received 16 votes for first place..
Do you think the coaches got No. 1 right? Why or why not?
Elizabeth: I expected Oklahoma to be No. 1 so much that when I prepped the news piece on the poll for the site, I included a Oklahoma image and headline. This isn’t to say I don’t think Florida should be at the top but that I thought the coaches would be lazy like they always are. But in the end I think the placement is correct.
Emily M: I do! I love that Oklahoma and Florida are tied for first place votes, though. I think it will be close.
Mary Emma: Well, since I had Oklahoma at No. 1 in my rankings, I guess I have to say no. However, I went back and forth a lot and could really see it going either way. I do have to admit that I’m glad to see they didn’t do what they usually do and put the team that finished the season in first place at No. 1 in the poll.
Talitha: I do! It’s going to be close and both teams look stunning in training, but the depth Florida has may give it the edge.
Katie: I 100% think they got this one right. Florida has depth, talent and consistency on all four events with their incoming class. However, it will remain a close battle all season for that top spot. Both teams look great in training videos, and the training clips from their freshmen look lineup ready. It’s a shame we can’t see a regular season matchup between the two.
Claire: Absolutely. These are obviously two closely matched teams, but Florida with Trinity Thomas has the edge over a Maggie Nichols-less Oklahoma.
What stands out to you most overall?
Elizabeth: This is tough. I was definitely surprised to see LSU at No. 3, as well as Nebraska down at No. 20 and Stanford at No. 31. Even if I think some of those placements are correct, I didn’t think the coaches would place those teams there. Overall though, I think I was most surprised to see Alabama above UCLA. The Bruins lost a lot, but enough to not only be No. 7 but below the Crimson Tide?
Emily M: Michigan at No. 5. To me the Wolverines are a top four team. I’m fascinated to see them out of the final day of nationals here.
Mary Emma: LSU and Alabama are higher than I expected. I had both in the top 10 but several spots lower. I also think Michigan should be higher than No. 5.
Talitha: Michigan at No. 5 and Alabama at No. 6. In my preseason poll, I put Michigan down in sixth, but after seeing the Wolverines’ intrasquad the other day, it’s pretty clear that the team is on fire. As for Alabama, I wouldn’t have placed it ahead of UCLA, but time will tell!
Katie: Seeing UCLA drop to No.7 in the coaches poll was the standout to me. Typically, the coaches poll is a reflection of the last season, and this is a large difference. But UCLA did lose a huge senior class.
Claire: UCLA at No. 7. I’m OK with that ranking, but I’m just shocked the coaches went there. I also would flip-flop Michigan and LSU (for starters).
Are there any surprises?
Elizabeth: I kind of answered this in the other question, but I’ll choose a different response this time and agree with Emily M that Maryland’s ranking seems low. The team has a lot of potential here, and its relation in this poll to the other Big Ten teams is questionable.
Emily M: Maryland at No. 28! The Terps look great and should be ahead of Penn State in my opinion. I’d put them right at the cusp of the top 25.
Mary Emma: I was a bit surprised to see Boise State all the way down at No. 30. I know it had a lower ranking in 2020 due to a rocky start to the season, but I think the Broncos will do much better this season.
Talitha: I think that Boise State and Stanford will do better than No. 30 and No. 31, respectively. They have substantial depth this year and could surprise us. On the other side of the spectrum, I’m positively surprised to see Nebraska ranked at No. 20. I share the coaches’ faith in this team, but I seem to be one of the few!
Katie: Taking a different angle from the other editors here, but I was surprised to see both LSU and Denver get a vote for first place finish. I think the talent and potential of these two teams can get them to the national championships and lead a bright future for the programs. However, we haven’t seen either team thrive under postseason pressure in recent years, and I think it’s bold to predict them at No.1.
Claire: Even taking the recent coaching changes into consideration, Washington at 19 seems pretty harsh.
Which of the teams that received votes but missed the top 36 would you swap in? Which top 36 team would you pull out to make space?
Elizabeth: I’d put North Carolina or Central Michigan in for George Washington. I’m really high on the Tar Heels despite them losing Khazia Hislop, and CMU always seems to find a way to make the cut, even without Denelle Pedrick.
Emily M: I think I’d swap in Central Michigan for Pittsburgh. The bubble teams are always so hard because they’re clustered so tightly, but the Chippewas always seem to find a way to get it done.
Mary Emma: The poll has the same 36 teams that I did, so I wouldn’t swap anyone out. However, I could see North Carolina or Central Michigan making it in place of Pitt or George Washington. Those bubble teams are always hard to predict.
Talitha: UC Davis! The Aggies have so much talent this year, and I very much hope they will make the top 36. I’m not quite sure who I would pull out, though…
Katie: I could definitely see Central Michigan or North Carolina making the top 36 instead of Pitt, but I think the teams on the cusp are always challenging to predict.
Claire: I’d put North Carolina, UC Davis and Central Michigan instead of Ohio State, George Washington and Pitt, respectively.
READ THIS NEXT: CGN Roundtable: On Our Preseason Poll
Article by Elizabeth Grimsley, Emily Minehart, Mary Emma Burton, Talitha Ilacqua, Katie Walsh, Claire Billman
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