Thoughts on the Big Ten Coaches Pre-Season Poll

Every year there is a pre-season poll… all this means is that the coaches submit what they think the conference will look like at the end of the season. There is no algorithm for it really, it's just the other coaches best guess on how the conference will look at the end of the season. After talking to all of the coaches at Big Ten Media Days they all say they don't care too much about the pre-season poll. But that doesn't mean I don't have thoughts. The Big Ten Conference pre-season coaches poll was released on 7/24 and after having a few days to let the dust settle here are some of my thoughts.

​

I always think it's always interesting when the returning national champion has to drop to #2 because this conference is just that good. Penn State did lose a lot of key pieces in Jess Mruzik, Camryn Hannah and Taylor Trammel BUT the coaching staff said “WATCH THIS” and went and brought in Kennedy Martin and Emmy Sellman. Both of those transfers will make a big impact and can at least help fill some shoes. But then again, those Huskers really are coming back even stronger with DBK at the helm and I think they are deeper at each position than i can remember Nebraska being in a LOOOONG time so I see the #1 spot for them. Personally I think they are interchangeable. 

​

UCLA came in at #5 in the poll after finishing in the bottom half of the Big Ten last season. The Bruins picked up some key transfers which I think is leading to their peers thinking so highly of them this upcoming season. Personally, I didn't see this coming at the end of last season, but after talking to the coaches and players, this group is READY. They are most definitely going to keep teams like Nebraska and Penn State on their toes. I am really looking forward to UCLA vs Penn State in Rec Hall this fall. 

​

Another west coast jump was Washington. The Huskies were #13 in last years pre-season poll and this year they come in at #8. Coach Leslie Gabriel still doesn't think they finished how they could have last season and she attributes that to her “letting off the gas too soon” last season. This is another group that is going to challenge some of the top half of the Big Ten and potentially walk away with some upsets. 

​

Michigan State came in at the bottom at #14 which isn't surprising BUT with Kristen Kelsay leading the charge in East Lansing at her alma mater this upcoming season I wouldn't take the Spartans lightly… 

​

I never take these polls too seriously simply because you can't. The volleyball will speak for itself this season… but it is fun to talk about.