Stunningly, Vanderbilt received zero votes in the preseason AP poll

The first AP poll of the season was released at 11 AM CT on Monday, and I have some shocking news for you.

Are you ready?

Vanderbilt is not ranked. In fact, the Commodores did not receive a single vote. And by “shocking” I mean “totally expected.” The AP has conducted 69 preseason polls going back to 1950 and Vanderbilt has never been ranked going into the season.

So who is ranked? Alabama is #1, receiving 42 of 61 first-place votes. #2 Clemson received 18 first-place votes, with a stray first-place vote going to #4 Wisconsin.

Now, for some good news. Just two of Vanderbilt’s opponents are ranked. Georgia, whom the Commodores visit on October 6, is ranked #3. And Notre Dame, whom Vanderbilt will visit on September 15, is #12.

Three more Vanderbilt opponents received votes in the poll. South Carolina and Florida, respectively, are #26 and #27 and might be ranked by the time Vanderbilt plays them, while Kentucky received a single vote. But Vanderbilt will still play seven teams who did not get any votes in the preseason poll.