ESPN Releases Preseason Top 25 Power Rankings

We’re getting closer and closer to the release of the legitimate preseason top 25, but for today ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg has blessed us with a top 25 in the form of power rankings.

(EDIT: Naturally after I post this, the real coaches poll was released.)

Alabama and Florida State were one and two, respectively. Words can’t even describe how big that opener will be in a month in Atlanta. I applaud both sides for being willing to play a game of this stature and potentially going behind the eight ball to start the season.

Ohio State, USC and Clemson rounded out the top five.

The next SEC school checked in at 11th, which was Auburn. The hype train is definitely rolling with Jarrett Stidham. LSU was 12th, followed Florida at 14th.

Michigan was ranked 13th, setting up another marquee matchup during the week one slate. The Wolverines will face the Gators and are currently favored by three to four points depending on where you look.

Georgia was the last SEC school inside the top 25 at 17th. Tennessee wasn’t ranked, despite being inside the top 25 in nearly every offseason poll that we’ve seen to this point.

Texas, South Florida, Virginia Tech, TCU, Washington State and West Virginia got the final slots in these rankings.

We’ve seen the Volunteers ranked as highly as 19th and as low as 25th. So it’s not exactly shocking that Tennessee was left off of this list. Will they be ranked when the first AP/Coaches poll comes out? I would guess so, but I’m not confident in that prediction.