Though we have months until the start of the 2017 college football season, it isn’t stopping Sports Illustrated from releasing a ‘way-too-early’ top 25 list.
As per usual, there are multiple SEC teams featured within the piece.
Alabama registers yet again as the nation’s No. 1 team. Jalen Hurts will enter his sophomore season, and the Crimson Tide likely possess the deepest backfield in the country. Oh yeah…and that Nick Saban guy will be back roaming the sideline.
LSU comes in as the No. 5 team in this poll. It marks the first full season with Ed Orgeron running the show in Baton Rouge. While Malachi Dupre and Leonard Fournette depart, the Tigers may possess the best individual defensive (Arden Key) and offensive (Derrius Guice) players in the conference.
Auburn is listed at No. 14. It will be very interesting to see how Jarrett Stidham impacts things on The Plains. Possessing a ton of talent, the Baylor transfer will likely get the keys to the offense from the get-go.
Georgia follows right behind at No. 15. The two-headed monster of Nick Chubb and Sony Michel will be back yet again for another year. A key to the season will be the play of quarterback Jacob Eason. If he can take his game to another level as a sophomore, the ‘Dawgs may be the favorite to win the SEC East.
Tennessee sits at No. 16 in this poll. The Vols possess arguably the most talent of anyone in the division, but have yet to put it all together. Head coach Butch Jones might be on the hot seat should UT not win the SEC East. Tennessee will also have to account for the loss of quarterback Joshua Dobbs, and running backs Alvin Kamara and Jalen Hurd.
At No. 19, Florida is the last of the six SEC teams within the publication. The quarterback position will be one to watch in Gainesville. While Luke Del Rio does return, he’ll be coming back from shoulder surgery. Feleipe Franks could be the dark horse in this equation. He’s huge a 6-foot-6, and has great arm strength.
Here’s SI’s way-too-early top 25:
- Alabama
- USC
- Penn State
- Florida State
- LSU
- Clemson
- Ohio State
- Oklahoma
- Washington
- Michigan
- Wisconsin
- Oklahoma State
- Louisville
- Auburn
- Georgia
- Tennessee
- Stanford
- Texas
- Florida
- West Virginia
- Kansas State
- Oregon
- Miami
- UCLA
- South Florida
