ESPN unveils new cfb Top 25

Auburn Tigers Football

College football teams from across the nation have all wrapped up their spring practices, hanging up the cleats and shoulder pads till fall camp rolls back around.

Meanwhile, us fans have to countdown the dog days of summer and continue to convince ourselves that college football is right around the corner, knowing good and damn well that it’ll be the longest spring and summer of our lives.

And while we’re at it, some sound advice: never turn your back on your fellow man who may be suffering from cfb withdrawals. Do whatever you have to do to help him or her get their fix even if you have to devise a way too early Top 25, a clear four months before the start of the season.

You know as well as I do that college football fans thirst for any type of football news about their beloved sport just to make the off-season a little less miserable.

Today, ESPN gave us all a shot in the arm when they released their FPI Top 25. Six SEC teams are featured including three heavyweights in the Top 10 — #2 Alabama, #3 Georgia and #7 Auburn. Rounding out the league are #16 Mississippi State, #19 Texas A&M, and #21 Florida, respectively.

While I don’t have any problems with the ranking’s Top 10, I must admit that I’m surprised that Will Muschamp’s South Carolina squad isn’t among the ranked. In fact, I’d actually place the Gamecocks 4th in the SEC behind the big three of Alabama, Georgia, and Auburn. I’d venture to say that a #15 ranking would be a fair assessment of the Gamecocks, who return a veteran quarterback, improving defense, and an electrifying playmaker in Deebo Samuel. Keep in mind that one of the biggest conference matchups of the season happens early when the defending SEC Champion Georgia Bulldogs go on the road, September 8, 2018 for a trip to South Carolina’s William-Brice Stadium in what could likely be a battle for SEC East supremacy.

#7 Auburn’s Top 10 matchup with #6 Washington is the biggest early season showdown featuring an SEC team as the pair help welcome in the college football season on Labor Day weekend in the Chik-Fil-A Kickoff Game, Saturday, September 1, 2018 in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

ESPN Preseason FPI:

1. Clemson
2.  Alabama
3. Georgia
4. Ohio St
5. Notre Dame
6. Washington
7. Auburn
8. Penn State
9. Oklahoma
10. Michigan State
11. Michigan
12. Wisconsin
13. Stanford
14. Miami
15. USC
16. Mississippi State
17. Texas
18. FSU
19. Texas A&M
20. Oklahoma State
21. Florida
22. Virginia Tech
23. Oregon
24. Georgia Tech
25. Iowa