The preseason USA TODAY Sports/AFCA Coaches Poll was released on Tuesday afternoon, and the Gators check in at No. 11.
Despite losing quarterback Kyle Trask, tight end Kyle Pitts, and wide receivers Kadarius Toney and Trevon Grimes to the NFL and lingering concerns on defense, the 65-coach panel (which includes Dan Mullen) still likes what the Gators have coming back enough to make them the fourth-highest ranked SEC team.
UF wasn’t ranked in the preseason entering Mullen’s first season in 2018 but was pegged as the eighth-best team in the country entering each of the last two seasons.
As expected, Alabama and Clemson are the top-2 teams in the poll. Oklahoma, Ohio State and Georgia round out the top-5, while Texas A&M just missed the cut at No. 6. UF will play both Alabama and Georgia this season, as well as No. 13 LSU.
For those interested, in-state rival Miami is ranked No. 16, while Florida State received only one vote.
The Associated Press will release its inaugural poll on Monday.
Here is the complete preseason Coaches Poll:
1. Alabama
2. Clemson
3. Oklahoma
4. Ohio State
5. Georgia
6. Texas A&M
7. Notre Dame
8. Iowa State
9. North Carolina
10. Cincinnati
11. Florida
12. Oregon
13. LSU
14. USC
15. Wisconsin
16. Miami
17. Indiana
18. Iowa
19. Texas
20. Penn State
21. Washington
22. Oklahoma State
23. UL Lafayette
24. Coastal Carolina
25. Ole Miss