If you don't like college football preseason polls, kick rocks | Opinion

Preseason polls in college football are not infallible crystal balls. Occasionally, they may accurately predict the national champion; other times, they might not. This unpredictability is precisely what makes them interesting. Envision the 12-team playoff as an exact replica of the preseason US LB Coaches Poll or the AP poll; it would lack drama and excitement.

The preseason polls contribute to the August content frenzy, generating anticipation for the season. ESPN's Scott Van Pelt contends that preseason polls are not perfect and not a crystal ball, arguing that he would prefer certainty in August regarding the national champion. However, he believes the games should be played to determine the outcome.

Van Pelt's opinion is not unique; numerous sports outlets produce their own preseason polls. While no one is suggesting the elimination of preseason polls entirely, it's perfectly acceptable if they are occasionally wrong. The First Amendment guarantees freedom to make imperfect predictions about a college football season, and Van Pelt is entitled to critique the polls and their inaccuracies.

Last season, five teams from the preseason top 10 of the coaches poll made the playoff, while two others, Texas and Notre Dame, finished with 10 wins and were among the first four to exit the playoff. Penn State, Clemson, and LSU, once ranked in the preseason top 10, finished at 7-6. The preseason poll does not influence the College Football Playoff selection committee's decision-making process.

The committee operates independently, utilizing their own research and not relying on preseason polls. While the coaches' preseason predictions aren't always accurate, that's perfectly fine. The preseason coaches poll provides insight into coaches' opinions about the competition and the landscape in August. Coaches' misjudgments, such as Indiana's preseason ranking of No. 19, only enhance the narrative, not detract from their season.

The preseason polls, whether from coaches, AP, or ESPN, add to the fun of college football, and there's no harm in enjoying them.