WVU 20th in Andy Staples' Preseason Power Rankings...and is Fleetwood Mac

West Virginia is getting some preseason love from si.com. Andy Staples has placed the Mountaineers 20th in his Preseason Power Rankings. WVU is sandwiched by a few old foes; Virginia Tech(19) and Notre Dame(21). Now only if we could play them.

In true Staples' fashion, the rankings are themed. In this case, WVU is compared to Fleetwood Mac (most overrated band ever in my opinion). Staples compares the offseason drama in Morgantown to that of Mick Fleetwood and Bob Weston, amongst other things. It's actually quite dead-on. Also, check out LSU's write-up. I think that's the best one.

The Mountaineers are the Big East favorite this season, with some believing they could be a dark horse for the National Championship. Bottom-line is the pressure will be on heavy for first-year coach Dana Holgorsen.

WVU 19th in ESPN Preseason Power Rankings

West Virginia did make one preseason poll...of course it doesn't count for anything. The Mountaineers are ranked 19th on ESPN's Preseason power Rankings list, sandwiched by Georgia at 20, and number 18 Ohio State.

The Mountaineers are the Big East favorite this season, with some believing they could be a dark horse for the National Championship. Bottom-line is the pressure will be on heavy for first-year coach Dana Holgorsen.

The 19-ranking is interesting, considering the Mountaineers couldn't crack the Coaches' Poll. It seems that WVU and the Big East get a little bit more respect from the ESPN pundits. Or maybe the pundits are just looking at how weak the Big East is, and how WVU should easily get to 10+ wins. Whatever the case is, it seems that the 19-ranking is more legit than being out of the top-25 to start the season. You would think a team picked to win a super-six conference should get a little bit more recognition than they have been getting. But, that's just life in the Big East.

Notre Dame is the Biggest Nerd in the Big East

Notre Dame is the highest ranked Big East school on the Forbes' Best College List, coming in at 18. This means that South Bend's students are the biggest dorks in the conference. Congrats to the Irish on their exceptional prowess in Dungeon and Dragons, protractors, pong, and virginity. I also look forward to having one of you as my boss someday.

Here's a look a the rankings

18: Notre Dame: Nerds

47: Georgetown: Still Top-50...still nerds

119: Villanova: I'm sure Jay Wright will screw this ranking up somehow

156: Providence: They're still in the Big East?

207: Syracuse: Ouch, a little low. At least the J-School is Top-5!

210: Connecticut: Just couldn't pass Cuse, could ya?

232: Marquette: You'd think it would be higher. What else are you going to do other than study in Wisconsin, tip a cow?

266: Rutgers: That's about the same as their football ranking

321: DePaul: Hey, they aren't last! Congrats!

336: Pittsburgh: Wait, but Pitt alums keep telling me they're a premier institution.

358: Seton Hall: A low ranking and the schools in New Jersey...bad combo.

403: West Virginia: Whatever, we're good at drinking.

502: St. Johns: Somewhere Chris Mullin is shaking his head

521: Cincinnati: C'mon Cincy, we can't put "The" in front of your name until you crack the Top-500.

561: South Florida: Surprised it's this high.

579: Louisville: Congrats Louisville on being the least nerdiest.

WVU Not Ranked in the Coaches Poll to Start Year

West Virginia will not be ranked in the Coaches' Poll to start the season. The Mountaineers sit 12 votes behind the 25th-seed, Penn State...a team they would probably destroy. WVU is joined by the rest of the Big East on the outside looking in. South Florida(9 votes) and Pittsburgh(3 votes) are the only other conference schools getting recognition.

It's a little surprising that the Mountaineers didn't crack the Preseason Top-25. The program was picked to win the conference, with many calling them a darkhorse for the Top-5. However, being the Big East favorite doesn't carry a lot of weight anymore, especially after a dismal 2010 season for the conference.

The Mountaineers will have a lot to prove early on, especially against LSU, who will start the season ranked 4th. If WVU can run the non-conference table look for them to be in the Top-20 as they head into the conference schedule.

Side Note: Why does Doc Holliday get a vote? Dude doesn't even coach a real program.

Here is the Top 25, with Oklahoma coming in as number 1.