Jan 6, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Jimbo Fisher celebrates as he hands the trophy to Jameis Winston (right) after defeating the Auburn Tigers 34-31 the 2014 BCS National Championship game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
The Florida State Seminoles will head into the 2014 season as the Associated Press’ No.1 team, just like they ended their 2013 campaign.
The Seminoles received 57 of 60 first place votes for a total of 1,496 points in the AP’s Top 25 preseason poll.
It is the sixth time in school history they’ve had the honor of being the AP No.1 and their first since 1999, when they would also win the National Title.
The Seminoles won last year’s title with a 34-31 win over Auburn, who are ranked No.6.
Alabama are No.2 and are followed by Oregon, Oklahoma and Ohio State.
For the first time since 2003, Florida is not ranked. UCF and USF also aren’t ranked.
However, UCF and Florida are the 26th and 27th ranked teams respectively as they received 94 and 87 points. USF didn’t garner a single vote.
The poll is dominated by the Southeastern Conference as they had eight teams in the Top 25.
When the USA Today poll was released, which was topped by FSU, head coach Jimbo Fisher had this to say about being named No.1.
"“We’re very excited about being No. 1 and happy to be No. 1, but we understand that we have to play like No. 1 and play great football,” Fisher told USA TODAY Sports. “That’s going to be our objective. We’re proud to start there and now we just have to go play great football … there is no added pressure. Our goal every year is to win the national championship. That’s why we’re at Florida State.”"
The AP Preseason Top 25 is as follows:
1. Florida State
2. Alabama
3. Oregon
4. Oklahoma
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