Preseason coaches Poll Thoughts

So the Titans were picked #4 in the 2009-10 Preseason Coaches Poll. Breaking this down a little more, let's look at how the poll is constructed. Each coach ranks the other teams in the league 1-7 (you can't vote for yourself)...

1st = 7 poll pts
2nd = 6
3rd = 5
4th = 4
5th = 3
6th = 2
7th = 1

Looking at the 2010 vote, I think it shows the following tiers of expectations from the coaches:

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A favorite
Wheaton (46 pts) = 6.57 average poll pts
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Indecision about spot #2 among 3 teams
Augustana (39) = 5.57 average
Carthage (37) = 5.29 average
Ill Wesleyan (36) = 5.14 average
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Consensus on #5
Elmhurst (22) = 3.14 average
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3 teams very close in the bottom 3 spots
Millikin (17) = 2.42
North Central (15) = 2.14 average
North Park (12) = 1.71 average
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Also note, the 10-point gap between #1 Wheaton and #4 Illinois Wesleyan is smaller than any 1-4 gap in the previous 10 polls (the average in that span is 17 poll points):

2009: 14 (#1 Wheaton 46, #4 IWU 32) - 2 teams w/ 1st place votes
2008: 18 (Augustana 47, NPU 29) - 2
2007: 14 (North Central 47, Wheaton 33) - 3
2006: 17 (IWU 49, Carthage 32) - 2*
2005: 18 (IWU 49, Carthage & Augie 31) - 2*
2004: 18 (Augustana 49, Carthage 31) - 2*
2003: 17 (Carthage 47, Wheaton 30) - 3
2002: 18 (Carthage 48, Wheaton 30) - 2
2001: 20 (Carthage 49, Augustana 29) - 2*
2000: 16 (Wheaton 46, Carthage 30) - 3

I've also noted above the number of teams that received 1st place votes in the last 10 polls (keep in mind there has to be at least 2, since coaches can't vote for their own team). The * denotes seasons in which 7 coaches all voted a certain team #1 (a perfect 49 poll points). You'll note that the 4 teams receiving 1st place votes in 2010 is more than any in the previous 10 polls.

I believe the poll supports what many around the CCIW believe at this point:

* Wheaton, Augustana, Carthage, and IWU are considered the top 4 teams
* Between those top 4, it is considered to be relatively close

The biggest surprise for me was seeing NPU at #8, based on their returning talent. I guess after 0-14 though, the Vikings will have to earn their respect.