In Athlon Sports’ preseason college football rankings, head coach Dan Mullen’s Florida Gators are ranked significantly higher than the Alabama Crimson Tide, a fact that is sure to upset Alabama fans. The Gators are ranked at number 5, while the Crimson Tide come in at number 6. This ranking is sure to stir up some controversy among college football fans, as Alabama has long been a dominant force in the sport.
The rankings also show other SEC teams ranked above Alabama, including Georgia at number 3 and LSU at number 4. This adds to the sting for Crimson Tide fans, as their team is usually considered a top contender for the national championship.
Mullen’s success at Florida is likely a factor in the rankings, as he has led the Gators to two straight New Year’s Six bowl games and a top 10 finish in the final AP poll last season. Alabama, on the other hand, is coming off a season where they lost two games and missed out on the College Football Playoff for the first time since its inception in 2014.
While preseason rankings are not always indicative of how a team will perform during the season, they do provide some insight into the expectations for each team. Alabama fans will undoubtedly be disappointed to see their team ranked below their SEC rivals and will be looking for their team to prove the rankings wrong once the season kicks off.
Overall, the rankings show a shifting landscape in college football, with teams like Florida rising in the ranks while traditional powerhouses like Alabama find themselves in a lower position than usual. It will be interesting to see how the season unfolds and if these rankings hold true as the teams take the field.
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