The Preseason Poll usually reflects the final results from the prior season, either by following the final National finish or Regular Season (RQS) finish.  Because information is sometimes incomplete, voters may not fully consider off-season losses to graduation or the impact of incoming classes and other returning injured performers.

Some votes seem to be factoring strong incoming classes at certain schools, with Florida being among the most notable.  At the same time, the Coaches collectively seem to be lowering WVU (-8/-3), Washington (-7/-2 spots) and UGA (-4/-6) below their National/RQS finish while elevating others like Cal (+5/+5), PSU (+6/+8) and especially Stanford (+10/+14). 

In the case of Stanford, a new coaching staff and an exceptional strong freshman class is facing some high expectations (although not too high).  In the case of Cal, key gymnasts like Toni Ann Williams and Cassidy Keelan are returning, joined by a large and talented class of frosh.  At the same time, Cal has lost 9 gymnasts from last season.   

With 50 voters, the first three teams are spaced 30 to 41 points from each other.  Then, there is a clear gap to Bama in 4th, and then roughly even spacing through Michigan in 7th (34 to 67 points).  Denver is clearly in 8th, while NU leads a tight group between 9th and 15th (UW).  Thus, it's tough to read too much into these relative placements in this range as the point totals are only 100 points, or two relative places, apart from 9th to 15th.   

Here's the full poll.