U of L football to face three preseason top 25 teams

The 2014 preseason coaches' poll came out earlier Thursday afternoon, and everybody was angry.

Poll releases are like calling a cable company. People are already angry before anything happens. I bet this UCF guy had like 10 tweet drafts set up just for this occasion. I mean, a bunch of coaches who readily admit they don't have time watch other games -- and probably rely on an assistant or a media guy to do their ballots for them -- somehow ranked so-and-so ahead of so-and-so and it's just a travesty.

Nonetheless, it's still fun to breakdown the rankings and see who is "supposed" to be good.

And if today's top 25 poll is any indication, three 2014 Louisville opponents are considered very good. Let's look at them, and the other U of L opponent that received votes. (For comparison, Louisville was 36th in points in the poll.)

1. Florida State

The reigning national champs are the preseason No. 1. You should not be surprised by this.

When they play Louisville: Oct. 30, 7:30 p.m., ESPN, at PJCS

16. Clemson

I'm a little surprised that Clemson is ranked ahead of Notre Dame, but the Tigers are getting a lot of preseason respect despite losing some really big-name players. Why? Chad Morris is a really good OC, Clemson has recruited very well under Dabo Swinney and the Tigers have one of the best home-field advantages in college football.

When they play Louisville: Oct. 11, time/TV TBA, at Clemson

17. Notre Dame

The Irish have Everett Golson back and that alone makes them a much more dangerous offensive team, though he didn't have the best spring game. I covered running back Greg Bryant in high school, and I'm sold on him becoming a really solid college running back. He will form a nice duo with Tarean Folston, who is also very talented.

When they play Louisville: Nov. 22, 3:30 p.m., NBC, at Notre Dame

And there's the group of teams receiving votes ...

34. Miami

Not sure I really follow the logic here, but this is 'Murrica and logic is for the birds. Miami was picked to win the impossible-to-predict ACC Coastal Division, so it makes sense that ... nevermind, Miami is ranked behind fellow Coastal team UNC in the Coaches Poll. The Canes don't have a quarterback yet, and their defense last year had more leaks than the NSA, so this is a little surprising, but Al Golden recruits as well as anyone and Miami's roster is full of talent.

When they play Louisville: Sept. 1, 8 p.m., ESPN, at PJCS