Florida figures to be the fifth-best SEC team in 2017, at least according to the Associated Press. The AP Top 25 rankings came out Monday afternoon, and the Gators will open the season as the No. 17 team in the country.
After back-to-back SEC East titles, Florida was awarded its best preseason ranking since 2013, when the team earned the No. 10 slot before a disappointing 4-8 season. The Gators came into last season at No. 25 and finished at No. 14.
In addition to UF, five other SEC schools made the top 25. Alabama is ranked No. 1, Auburn is No. 12, LSU is No. 13, Georgia is No. 15, and Tennessee is No. 25.
The Gators had the second-best ranking out of any school in Florida, behind No. 3 Florida State and ahead of No. 18 Miami and No. 19 South Florida.
The Michigan Wolverines, which open their season against UF on Sept. 2 in Arlington, Texas, were ranked 6 spots better than the Gators at No. 11. For more rankings, check out the list below.
1. Alabama
2. Ohio State
3. Florida State
4. Southern California
5. Clemson
6. Penn State
7. Oklahoma
8. Washington
9. Wisconsin
10. Oklahoma State
11.Michigan
12. Auburn
13. Louisiana State
14. Stanford
15. Georgia
16. Louisville
17. Florida
18. Miami (FL)
19. South Florida
20. Kansas State
21. Virginia Tech
22. West Virginia
23. Texas
24. Washington State
25. Tennessee
You can follow Matt Brannon on Twitter @MattB_727, and contact him at mbrannon@alligator.org.
Jim McElwain talks with players during stretches before a fall practice at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.
