This morning, the AP Poll was released. Florida State checks in at number 7, one spot down from 2011's preseason ranking. Florida State ranks 7th in the USA Today Poll and was ranked 5th at the beginning of last year. That is a very tight cluster and despite the hope that FSU will finish stronger than the 2011 campaign, the polls reflect the belief that FSU is right where it was last year.
Florida State is the lone ACC team in the top 10. There are only two ranked ACC teams besides FSU, Clemson at 14 and Virginia Tech at 16. The only other team ranked that FSU plays is Florida, checking in at number 23. Miami is not ranked and did not receive any votes. UCF and USF both received votes but not enough to be ranked.
Remember, this poll doesn't factor into the BCS formula as it has been removed. However, it is good to see the 'Noles in the top 10 again. Perhaps, with some luck, FSU can play on par with the lofting rankings.
This is the first time FSU has started the preseason ranked top 10 in consecutive years in the AP Poll since the 2001 and 2002 seasons.