College Football News ranks every SEC team after spring practice
College Football News recently unveiled its post-spring rankings for all 128 FBS programs, and six SEC teams are listed inside the top 25, including a surprising new No. 1 overall team.
It’s LSU.
“You know how everyone was gushing over all the Ohio State players being taken throughout the 2015 NFL Draft? Next year it’s going to be LSU that keeps the pros stocked with fresh bodies, especially in the first round,” wrote Pete Fiutak. “The 2016 Tigers really are that good.
“It might be hard to see considering how flaky they were last season, but this year they’re so deep, so talented, and so solid now that Les Miles survived his brush with coaching death that it should all come together in what should be a dream season.”
What might be even more surprising is what follows. Tennessee enters May as CFB News’ No. 3 team with defending national champion Alabama close behind at No. 4. That is quite the bold prediction, considering the Crimson Tide’s dominance in the polls over the last seven years, having won four titles during that span.
Georgia is the fourth SEC team to make an appearance in the top 10, as first-year coach Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs grab some serious respect at No. 8, while Ole Miss (No. 12) and Florida (No. 21) round out the top 25.
Not listed in the top 25: Arkansas (No. 26), Texas A&M (No. 31), Auburn (No. 32), Missouri (No. 37), Mississippi State (No. 39), South Carolina (No. 48), Kentucky (No. 58), and Vanderbilt (No. 69).
Here are College Football News’ complete post-spring top 25 rankings:
1. LSU
2. Clemson
3. Tennessee
4. Alabama
5. Ohio State
6. Oklahoma
7. Florida State
8. Georgia
9. Notre Dame
10. Michigan
11. Louisville
12. Ole Miss
13. Baylor
14. Michigan State
15. Wisconsin
16. UCLA
17. Oregon
18. Oklahoma State
19. USC
20. Houston
21. Florida
22. Miami (Fla.)
23. Stanford
24. Nebraska
25. Iowa
This should be good. Let the hate begin.
“What have you done for me lately?” – Janet Jackson
If this poll is even close to correct and UT/Bama are undefeated going into The Third Saturday In October, then that could potentially be one of the most anticipated UT v Bama games ever. Gameday would be a lock.
I agree with this statement.
Wouldn’t even mind playing Bama twice. Both teams, of course, would have to win their divisions.
UT won’t be undefeated at that point.
Tennessee has to beat VT, break the streak with Florida, win @Georgia, and @Texas A&M. That’a mighty big IF.
Tennessee has to come to Athens, Georgia for both team’s 5th game of the season. (October 1) UGA will throw a balanced offense at them. Nick Chubb and Sony Michel pounding the rock and Jacob Eason distributing the ball to a plethora to excellent TE’s and WR’s. This early season showdown, will clear up that top 10.
You are HOPING that Eason comes in and gives you a balanced attack (Assuming Chubb doesn’t have an injury hangover). Freshman QB’s in the SEC, no matter how talented, always are going to be facing an uphill battle, especially against the top tier teams in the division. That is one of the major reasons Tennessee is getting a lot of hype this offseason. There are no assumptions that need to be made regarding many, if any, positions on the team. Tennessee if finally set at all positions. Besides, I was under the assumption that it is still a wide open QB race right now. Maybe UGA fans can confirm that Eason will be the starter.
Same could be said for TN as far as a balanced offense. I think you guys have more options at WR, but we had a few surprises in the spring game. You have Chubb and Michel, and we have Hurd and Kamara. You have Eason (if he wins the starting job) and we have Dobbs who is an average passer, but adds another level with his legs. Both defenses should be stout. I think it could come down to the last drive, but it starts with the QB play.
Why would this year be better for UGa? For the last 4 years UT has battled UGa all the way – and 2 of those years you had Murray at QB (who was one of the best QBs in the league) along with outstanding running backs (as always) and a stout receiving corps. Finally, UT has the upperhand on veteran players on both sides of the ball. I would think that your thinking would be to just hope the Dawgs can hang on in this game.
these pre season rankings are akin to saying “he’s a millionaire, on paper”…
At least the bubble popped on Ole Mrs and theyre dropping in the more recent polls.
Never thought I’d see the day where Ole Miss is dropping in polls down to around 12 or so preseason! I’ll take it.
Is that a reason to rank a team that will likely have a post-season ban? But it would be hilarious if they did get a ban and then went undefeated in the regular season.
I’m gonna start by saying Georgia is ranked a little too high. Starting there, the idea of Tennessee being number three and ranked above Alabama, Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Florida State is ridiculous.
Agreed on all counts. Having gone to the Orange & White game, I’m not sure where these folks are getting their basis for putting us at #3 from, other than their imagination. We’re definitely improved, but putting us inside the top 10 before playing a single down of actual football is preposterous.
I completely believe Tennessee is getting better every year, but they shouldn’t be ranked above the aforementioned teams.
I agree. When i saw this i about dropped my phone. Id rather see us aroubd 9- 10 at the most just so if something does happen badly it isnt everyone claiming we hyped ourselves
I think Tennessee is very good. However I don’t think they’re elite yet. Dobbs kamara and Hurd are excellent players but I don’t think the vols will truly be elite till the next couple of recruiting classes arrive. They are on the way as long as they survive the rape thing, but I see them being just outside the top ten this year. Which vol fans should be thrilled about
Outside of the SEC, FSU is the team to beat, they are STACKED. I’m talking 2013 stacked, Ole Miss might clobbered and I mean the respectfully. Watch out for Michigan as they return everyone as well.
Tiger… Follow the signs for I-275 North/Lexington for about 3.1 miles..
Get on I-75 North and travel about 171 miles (Utilize that time to reflect on your posting about Michigan on an SEC Blog site)
Look for signs for Dayton/US 50 West River Rd/5th Street..
Not to far should be signs for I-75North..
You’re gonna be on I-75North again for about 192 miles… Utilize that time to figure out why would you even want to mention the Big10 when Mich St lost 38-0 to Alabama…
In all it’s an approximate 7hr 45min drive.. Regather your thoughts…
Forgot…..Exit 192 I-475 North/US-23 to Maumee/Ann Arbor is ur final destination.
Let’s some this one up – all the East teams are ranked too high by about 7 spots.
This is proof… that even if drugs are illegal… people will still use them…
Lol
Its hard to see Tennessee ranked in the top ten at the end of the year, that being said it is good to see them back in the hunt. The east is showing signs of life again and that cant be anything but good for the SEC. The SEC is the only conference in football where you can have the 20th best team in the land and loose every conference game. I love my hogs but its hard to see where in the world we get even 8 wins from this year.
Pretty much as it should be except I’d have the Tide 1 until further notice with LSU somewhere in the top 6. LSU fans in the know have been pointing to 2016 for 2 yrs now. The Tigers haven’t had a talented tm that was also experienced since 2011 due to early departures. They’ve been talented but young and the only tms they’ve lost to since 2012 have had jrs and srs on the field and at QB.
I’d have it as 1 Tide, 2 Clem, 3 UT, 4 FSU, and 5 LSU. You’re splitting hairs at this point so no need for any wrinkled panties….
JMHO, but I don’t care where we start, it’s where we finish. I figure most of the polls and pundits will have Clemson ranked #1 to start the season. It was like they had already started pushing for Clemson and were ready to start Watson’s Heisman push before they’d even handed Saban the trophy.
LSU always starts the season with high hopes and such, only to be thoroughly beaten down by the Crimson Tide. I’ll believe Tennessee will beat Florida and Bama when I see it.
I think tennessee should be in the top ten, but then again, shouldn’t most of the SEC? Our conference IS the best..
This is partly joking, btw.
If we beat you guys this year (I truly believe if we don’t then Jones never will), then we will be top 10 material. If not, I think we win 9-10 regular season games still and finish top 25, but don’t win the East. With our returning talent and experience, the state of most of the East, and the easiest (lol) schedule we’ve had in years (thanks, Oregon and Oklahoma), if we don’t win the East this year then Jones is not the guy.
That is a bit too black and white imo. After all, we were that 50-yd fg away from winning the East last year. Sometimes, it’s just the difference of 12 inches that decides something much bigger.
like les needed anymore pressure
Don’t worry, the major polls (AP) to start the yr won’t have them this high. They will likely be around 10 which is about rt.
I think #1 is about right.
Nah, who cares about being #1 on opening weekend? Better to start a little lower and have something to play FOR rather than going into each week trying not to lose.
I think they’re a clear top 5 tm but wish they open around 10.
Mizzou at 37? I’ll take it.
Auburn predictions are always so bad that they’ve pretty much destroyed faith in the preseason polls.
No way Ole Piss and Arkansas are better than A&M
This dude thinks MO is better than we are. I will not be paying any heed to his words. MISSOURI!
Equals sand in vagina.
Yes, it chafes.
The way this list looks it would not bother me if ole miss was not even on the list. Bama was the top team last year and until a team can be as good as them week in and week out that’s the way it will stay. Last year ole miss finished the game with more points than Bama but I can’t say they really BEAT them. When you beat someone it looks like how Bama BEAT lsu last year and now they are ranked higher,don’t think so.
“Love It”, I know six SEC Teams that won’t see the ‘Hogs A Coming’!
Nothing Like a Double Helping Of ‘Knuckle Sandwich’, On An Autumn Day.
Stanford at 23…. Yeah right. Likely winning the pac 12. Usc over them with NO QB RB DEFENSE?
Ohio state at 5??? Did you see the draft? They barely managed their season last year and have a WORSE team by far.
14 Michigan state was proven to be awful and has no QB
22. Miami rated why and above stanford is atrociously idiotic
24. Nebraska this is getting comical?
25. Iowa… the team that lost by 30 to stanford?
Arkansas NOT EVEN RANKED? Should be 14th
So……Miss state behind all those guys…………….. this is going to change very abruptly by week 2.