The USA Today Coaches' Poll came out late Thursday morning, with the Texas Longhorns debuting at no. 15 nationally.
It seems like a fair assessment of where the Longhorns are coming off of a 13-12 record the last two seasons. Questions about quarterback play (and, when the coaches turned in their votes, the kicking game) give this Longhorn team a floor that is relatively low compared to the other teams on the top half of the list.
However, led by a defense that should at times be dominant, as well as a strong running game that should have the ability to wear teams down by the fourth quarter, the upside for this group is much higher than that of the 15th-best team in the country, especially if prospective starter David Ash can protect the football and capitalize on big-play opportunities presented by teams keying on the running game.
Follow after the jump for the complete rankings.
| Rank | Team (first-place votes) | Record | Points | Final 2011 rank |
| 1. | LSU (18) | 13-1 | 1,403 | 2 |
| 2. | Alabama (20) | 12-1 | 1,399 | 1 |
| 3. | Southern California (19) | 10-2 | 1,388 | NR |
| 4. | Oklahoma | 10-3 | 1,276 | 15 |
| 5. | Oregon | 12-2 | 1,258 | 4 |
| 6. | Georgia | 10-4 | 1,061 | 20 |
| 7. | Florida State | 9-4 | 1,055 | 23 |
| 8. | Michigan | 11-2 | 1,023 | 9 |
| 9. | South Carolina | 11-2 | 981 | 8 |
| 10. | Arkansas | 11-2 | 948 | 5 |
| 11. | West Virginia | 10-3 | 833 | 18 |
| 12. | Wisconsin | 11-3 | 743 | 11 |
| 13. | Michigan State | 11-3 | 717 | 10 |
| 14. | Clemson | 10-4 | 598 | 22 |
| 15. | Texas | 8-5 | 549 | NR |
| 16. | Nebraska | 9-4 | 501 | 24 |
| 17. | TCU | 11-2 | 499 | 13 |
| 18. | Stanford | 11-2 | 497 | 7 |
| 19. | Oklahoma State | 12-1 | 476 | 3 |
| 20. | Virginia Tech | 11-3 | 461 | 17 |
| 21. | Kansas State | 10-3 | 398 | 16 |
| 22. | Boise State | 12-1 | 271 | 6 |
| 23. | Florida | 7-6 | 250 | NR |
| 24. | Notre Dame | 8-5 | 166 | NR |
| 25. | Auburn | 8-5 | 66 | NR |
- Texas Tech received a vote. Ha! In other news, Tommy Tuberville has a vote in the poll. Nicely done, coach.
- Kansas State seems low at no. 21. Bill Snyder couldn't care less.
- Overall, the Big 12 landed six teams on the top 25, with Baylor lingering just outside at no. 31. Two of those teams are the newbies, TCU and West Virginia. Texas A&M and Missouri? Only to be found in the also receiving votes category. The league has never been stronger and got better this season without those two.