The expectations for Florida are as high as they’ve been since 2010. That’s the last time the Gators had a preseason ranking as high as they do this year; they open the season eighth in the AP Top 25, which was released Monday.
UCF is the only other state team to crack the list. The Knights are No. 17.
RELATED: Matt Baker’s preseason AP Top 25: Florida Gators in top 10, UCF cracks the list
Clemson is No. 1, followed by Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma and Ohio State. Jimbo Fisher’s Aggies are No. 12, while Miami and Florida State’s first opponent (Boise State) were among those receiving votes. USF’s first opponent, Wisconsin, starts 19th.
RELATED: Georgia football’s rise comes at the expense of Florida, in more ways than one
Florida State is unranked for the first time since 2008. Here’s the full poll:
1. Clemson
2. Alabama
3. Georgia
4. Oklahoma
5. Ohio State
6. LSU
7. Michigan
8. Florida
9. Notre Dame
10. Texas
11. Oregon
12. Texas A&M
13. Washington
14. Utah
15. Penn State
16. Auburn
17. UCF
18. Michigan State
19. Wisconsin
20. Iowa
21. Iowa State
22. Syracuse
23. Washington State
24. Nebraska
25. Stanford