I've explained my theory on preseason polls plenty of times in the past so I'll skip it again here, other than to say that this ballot will not even get looked at once the first kickoff happens. Otherwise, the ranking philosophy is: keep the teams in the same order as the BlogPoll Ballot, insofar as that can happen. Then rank the rest based on gut with a little momentum from last season.
The order:
- Alabama Crimson Tide
- Florida Gators
- Auburn Tigers
- Georgia Bulldogs
- Arkansas Razorbacks
- LSU Tigers
- South Carolina Gamecocks
- Tennessee Volunteers
- Mississippi St. Bulldogs
- Mississippi Rebels
- Kentucky Wildcats
- Vanderbilt Commodores
I put LSU and SoCar ahead of Tennessee because of coaching continuity, though my preseason optimism tells me that UT might be the better team once they get a couple games under their belt. Alabama and Florida? Whichever order you prefer. MSU is ahead of Mississippi because I just don't feel good about Mr. Nutt's Wild Ride anymore.