The USA Today Preseason Coaches Poll was released Thursday, and six SEC teams were included.

Alabama was the highest ranked team at No. 2, while Georgia (3), LSU (6), Florida (9), Texas A&M (11) and Auburn (16) made the field of 25. One team that was noticeably absent from the rankings and “also receiving votes” category was Missouri.

The Tigers have Clemson transfer Kelly Bryant at QB, and some would project them in the field of 25. However, due to the sanction, Missouri was ineligible for the Coaches Poll, according to Dave Matter.

Most college football analysts are scratching their heads over the NCAA’s decision to slap Missouri with a bowl ban following an investigation into improper benefits. The Tigers appealed their decision and are awaiting the results of that appeal. Mizzou worked hand-in-hand with the NCAA during the entire investigation and were still hit with a stiff penalty.

“I’ve been covering the NCAA a long time,” Finebaum said at SEC Media Days. “I started as an investigative reporter dealing with NCAA issues. I say that to say this — in all the years that I’ve watched, studied and reported on the NCAA, I think that this is the most outrageous penalty I’ve ever seen. There’s no justification for it. There’s no rhyme or reason.

“The longer I’ve thought about this and the more I’ve read about it and spoken to people at Mizzou and elsewhere, the more sickened I am by it. … To penalize this football team for that, it’s not only reprehensible, but it shows why people genuinely hate the NCAA.”

On Thursday, the Preseason Coaches Poll reminded the Tigers of the ridiculousness.