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College Football preseason AP Poll 2017: 5 teams ranked too low

By Nicholas Ian Allen

SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 19: Quarterback Jake Browning #3 of the Washington Huskies looks downfield to pass against the Arizona State Sun Devils on November 19, 2016 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 19: Quarterback Jake Browning #3 of the Washington Huskies looks downfield to pass against the Arizona State Sun Devils on November 19, 2016 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /
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BATON ROUGE, LA – NOVEMBER 19: Tyrie Cleveland of the Florida Gators and Duke Dawson #7 (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
BATON ROUGE, LA – NOVEMBER 19: Tyrie Cleveland of the Florida Gators and Duke Dawson #7 (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Florida Gators

AP Top 25 Preseason Ranking: No. 17

The SEC West is obviously stronger than the East. West division heavyweights Alabama, No. 12 Auburn and No. 13 LSU all rank higher than any team from the other division. The pollsters gave No. 15 Georgia the top spot among East teams, and the Bulldogs were picked by the media to win the division at SEC Media Days, but Florida probably should have earned the nod in both instances.

Not picked to win it in 2015 or 2016, the Gators are the two-time defending SEC East champions. Florida won both titles in large part due to a dominant defense, and though the unit must replace a boatload of starters from last season, the Gators are as talented as any team in the country defensively. With CeCe Jefferson, Jordan Sherit and Jabari Zuniga back, the defensive line should be one of the best in the SEC. The trio combined for 10 sacks last season and is capable of more.

Cornerback Duke Dawson didn’t get the credit he deserved as a shutdown corner opposite Jalen Tabor last season, and the senior should be considered an All-SEC and All-American candidate this year as a senior. Dawson and safety Marcell Harris, the team’s leader with 73 tackles last season, are the two returning starters in the secondary, and will be joined by Chauncy Gardner, who picked off three passes.

Offensively, the biggest question is at quarterback – but that was the case in each of the last two seasons as well. At least there are options with redshirt freshman Feleipe Franks and Notre Dame graduate transfer Malik Zaire in the mix this season along with returner Luke Del Rio. The offensive line is improving, Jordan Scarlett showed promise at running back, and even with Antonio Callaway suspended, the receiving corps has tons of speed and talent.

Plus, all the biggest games on the SEC schedule – Tennessee, LSU, Texas A&M and Georgia – will be played in the Sunshine State. The Gators also host Florida State. The schedule sets up so well, with a couple of fortunate bounces, Florida could be a national title contender.

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