The defending national champions received 57 of 60 first-place votes. Alabama, Oregon and Oklahoma all received one first-place vote.
Florida State also opened the season at No. 1 in 1988, 1991, 1993, 1995 and 1999. The Seminoles won the national championship in 1993 and 1999. The Seminoles were ranked No. 11 at the start of the 2013 season.
Here’s a look at the Top 25 (first-place votes in parentheses):
- Florida State (57) 2. Alabama (1) 3. Oregon (1) 4. Oklahoma (1) 5. Ohio State 6. Auburn 7. UCLA 8. Michigan State 9. South Carolina 10. Baylor 11. Stanford 12. Georgia 13. LSU 14. Wisconsin 15. USC 16. Clemson 17. Notre Dame 18. Ole Miss 19. Arizona State 20. Kansas State 21. Texas A&M 22. Nebraska 23. North Carolina 24. Missouri 25. Washington
UC TABS KIEL AS STARTER
Cincinnati named Gunner Kiel, a former five-star quarterback who transferred from Notre Dame in 2013. Kiel had been a commit to LSU in the recruiting process.
“The first few days were a little shaky,” Kiel said in an interview with the Associated Press. “I think I came out anxious and excited. I think that got me to play a little uncomfortable. So at times I have to calm down and relax and play the game I love, not do too much. I know I’m going to make mistakes, but learn from the mistakes.”
Kiel will start ahead of Munchie Legaux, who suffered two torn ligaments in his left knee last season.
The Bearcats are the preseason favorites to win the American Athletic Conference, but we’ll have to wait a few weeks to see Kiel. Cincinnati has two bye weeks to start the season before taking on Toledo on Sept. 12 at Paul Brown Stadium.
