While the SEC footprint is currently in spring mode thanks to 13 active spring camps around the region (South Carolina finished spring camp last weekend), the Sporting News is already looking ahead to the upcoming fall season.

Posted by Bill Bender of the Sporting News, the Southeastern Conference lands six teams on the Sporting News’ preseason top 25 list (Alabama, Georgia, Auburn, LSU, South Carolina, and Texas A&M) with a seventh program (Mississippi State) in the “others receiving votes” category. Picking A&M over MSU seems like an odd omission on a number of levels but with both programs under new leadership, Bender must feel more comfortable with Jimbo Fisher than Joe Moorhead.

There was no criteria provided with this list, other than calling it a “pre-preseason top 25 ranking for 2018:”

Here’s how Bender ranked the SEC teams on his list, plus his comments on each selection. We’ve included each program’s 2017 record and key road games for the 2018 season.

#1 Alabama – 13-1; Sept. 1 vs. Louisville (in Orlando), Oct. 20 @ Tennessee, Nov. 3 @ LSU

Yes, we put Alabama at No. 1 again. Chances are it will be atop the preseason polls that come out in August. Nick Saban may have a QB controversy between Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa, but he’s working with the same talented stable of skill position players. One possible concern: Saban will be working with his third different defensive coordinator in four seasons.

#3 Georgia – 13-2; Sept. 8 @ South Carolina, Oct. 13 @ LSU, Oct. 27 vs. Florida (Jacksonville), Nov. 3 @ Kentucky

The Bulldogs were one of the big winners at the NFL Draft entry deadline last year. The defending SEC champions now have holes to fill, but the offense can build around sophomore Jake Fromm. Kirby Smart has what looks like the nation’s top class coming in, however, and the Bulldogs are in great position in the SEC East.

#8 Auburn – 10-4; Sept. 1 vs. Washington (in Atlanta), Oct. 6 @ Mississippi State, Nov. 10 @ Georgia, Nov. 24 @ Alabama

Gus Malzhan opted to stay at Auburn, and with good reason. There’s enough talent on both sides of the ball to repeat as SEC West champions, and perhaps finish the job this time around. Jarrett Stidham is back, but leading rushers Kerryon Johnson and Kamryn Pettway are gone and the defense loses Jeff Holland and Carlton Davis to the NFL.

#13 LSU – 9-4; Sept. 2 vs. Miami (in Arlington), Sept. 15 @ Auburn, Oct. 6 @ Florida, Nov. 24 @ Texas A&M

Ed Orgeron kept the Tigers moving in the right direction in 2017, and the quarterback competition between Myles Brennan and Lowell Narcisse will be the focus of the offseason. The Tigers play Miami at Jerry World in the opener and have crossover games against Florida and Georgia in consecutive weeks.

#23 South Carolina – 9-4; Sept. 29 @ Kentucky, Nov. 10 @ Florida, Nov. 24 @ Clemson

Florida and Tennessee are breaking in first-year coaches, so this is a unique opportunity for Will Muschamp to lead the Gamecocks to a breakthrough in the SEC East. Quarterback Jake Bentley is back and should continue to improve with his supporting cast, too.

#25 Texas A&M – 7-6; Sept. 22 @ Alabama, Oct. 13 @ South Carolina, Oct. 27 @ Mississippi State, Nov. 3 @ Auburn

Jimbo Fisher has arrived, and that’s going to raise the bar in College Station to its highest point since the Aggies joined the SEC West in 2012. Some patience is required. The Fisher era starts with an early showdown against Clemson — and Dabo Swinney — that has College GameDay written all over it.