:?: :roll: Those are really strange rankings! I think everybody has Ohio State and Bama at #1, #2, but after that, I really don't follow the logic. Notre Dame is way down the list, but LSU is #5? I hope they realize that the Irish are returning nearly everyone from a team that kicked their arse? How about UCLA being ranked ahead of USC? That will definitely cause rage against the machine downtown. I honestly don't understand ranking Oregon ahead of them either. As far as I know, the Trojans have the best team on the coast...
Jim, I had similar thought when I looked at the rankings as well. At least we are getting closer to the opening games. I believe we commence practice on August 10th.
"I'm just happy to see Tennessee being mentioned in the top 25 of anything!" Funny but that is how I am feeling about Florida these days. I guess that's why the Auburn head coach this season is now referred to as "Guschamp"..... lol. In this somewhat odd list by ESPN the Gators are only 5 behind ND and 2 behind FSU. There's hope!
If I didn't have faith that ESPN is a high-character network with lofty principles, I might think they they are promoting the SEC because of the network affiliation. But that surely wouldn't happen.........would it? :roll:
We'll see come November I guess. We ought to pin this topic to the top and compare through the season. I'll make that happen and remove the pin if that is desired.
The SEC is well thought of in just about any of the preseason prognostications but this list is especially kind to Florida compared to other lists. I hope these are just smart guys....
I'm like Don. I am not anti-SEC, but I've never thought of ESPN as objective when it comes to such things as power rankings. IMO ESPN tends to be self-serving in their analyses. Actually, I'm not as surprised about the SEC teams as I am about teams like Baylor and TCU. I don't care where they put ND. After our late-season flop last year, I'm like Tom, just happy to be in any pre-season top 25.
Any media outlet that gives us Caitlyn Jenner in red gown and hands her a "courage" award has to be above reproach. Right?
Two comments. First, even though he has not coached his first game as Head Coach of the Gators I have been very impressed with our new Head Coach Jim McElwain. He stepped into a bad situation with the Gators. In a tough conference and so many holes in our team. He has quietly gotten transfers, Junior College and Graduate transfers, to plug the holes. He is making headway in Florida with recruiting and he does it all with a big smile on his face and a very relaxed approach to fans and media. I have a feeling this guy will be around a long time. Disclaimer here, I thought Spurrier would be there 20 years or more and that Meyer would surely be there and least 10. But I am still optimistic. My second prediction is that the Gators will exceed expectations this year.
Bill, I think the general feeling is that UF has the defensive personnel to compete with anyone in college football. Offensively is where the holes were when McElwain took over the reigns but as you say he has been making a lot of personnel moves to bolster the talent on offense such as moving Brandon Powell out to slot receiver. I am excited to see what his offense can do after watching Muschamp's Driskel Dribble offense chug down the field slowly for the past 4 years.... BUT... What about that Georgia game??? Damn what an anomaly.
Don, Tom pinned it to the top so people could compare notes during the season. Here is his comment from san earlier post: