Next week is the unofficial official start to the college football season, as the SEC, Big 12, ACC and Big Ten all host media days. So, the season is just around the corner.

We say this now as a warning — don’t take this season for granted, because it’ll be here and gone before anyone knows it; that’s the way it always happens. The season flies by, and it gets faster every year.

Preseason top 25s are starting to drop now, and NCAA.com is just the latest outlet to release its rankings. Seven SEC programs are included, with Alabama ranked the highest at No. 2. Georgia (4), LSU (7) and Florida (8) all appear in the top 10. Texas A&M (11), Auburn (17) and Missouri (23) all round out the top 25 for the conference.

College football rankings: Preseason Top 25 for the 2019 season, via NCAA.com:

1. Clemson Tigers
2. Alabama Crimson Tide
3. Ohio State Buckeyes
4. Georgia Bulldogs
5. Oklahoma Sooners
6. Michigan Wolverines
7. LSU Tigers
8. Florida Gators
9. Texas Longhorns
10. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
11. Texas A&M Aggies
12. Oregon Ducks
13. Penn State Nittany Lions
14. Washington Huskies
15. Utah Utes
16. Wisconsin Badgers
17. Auburn Tigers
18. Iowa Hawkeyes
19. UCF Knights
20. Nebraska Cornhuskers
21. Virginia Tech Hokies
22. Michigan State Spartans
23. Missouri Tigers
24. Northwestern Wildcats
25. Boise State Broncos