Gators at No. 23 in USA Today preseason poll

By Adam Silverstein
August 4, 2011

The 2010 Big 12 champion Oklahoma Sooners earned the No. 1 spot in the USA Today coaches preseason poll released Thursday with the Florida Gators being slotted in the bottom fifth of the rankings at No. 23.

Oklahoma received 42 of 59 possible first-place votes with Alabama (13), Oregon (2), LSU (2) and Florida State rounding out the top five.

Other Southeastern Conference teams ranked by USA Today this preseason include 2010 SEC East champion South Carolina (No. 12), Arkansas (No. 14), 2010 SEC West champion Auburn (No. 19), Mississippi State (No. 20) and Georgia (No. 22).

Florida began the 2010 season at No. 3 in the USA Today poll and No. 4 in the Associated Press top 25 but finished unranked after going 8-5 (4-4 SEC).

20 Comments

  1. sjkoepp says:

    At least we’re ranked. It’s a start. I feel though that we’re really underestimated. Sure, all the players and coaches will always say “we’ve gotten better and we’re ready” etc. but regardless with this new coaching staff, our d-line looking solid and a conducive offense I feel like we can get somewhere this season. Maybe?

    • Daniel M. says:

      I’m looking for a cohesive offense. But that’s just me.

      who knows what this team will do. More questions than answers so I’m predicting 8-4. 7-5 wouldn’t shock me. 9-3 would look mighty fine. Regardless, I’m not making any Atlanta reservations for 2011.

      • Tractorr says:

        When you look at the schedule this year the only two games I am almost certain are losses are LSU and South Carolina. Perhaps Alabama will be a loss as well but I don’t think it will be a blow out as Muschamp understand how to defend their offense so well. Other than that every other game is a potential W. Not to say they all will be wins but barring major injuries I think it will be 8 regular season wins minimum.

        • Aligator says:

          9-3 if things go well, i.e. john brantley is half way functional ….

        • Mr2Bits says:

          We definitely have a better chance of beating LSU and USC than Bama. Bama is going to have one of the top defenses in the nation. Scoring on them will be extremely difficult. I’m also not buying into the USC hype just yet as their team cohesiveness is not the best right now. They have QB turmoil and their top receiver has swallowed some girls boobs in the off-season.

          Alshon is #1 to the left : http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/xtreme99/188670.jpg

          • Tractorr says:

            Bama is at home and I think the boys have something to prove against them. Again this is not a guaranteed victory but Muschamp understands the system.

  2. gator says:

    What were we ranked going into 2006?

  3. Mr2Bits says:

    I don’t think I have ever seen a more over-rated team than what FSU is right now(Georgia as well). For a team that didn’t even win the ACC(only made it to the championship game on a few end of game wins) and is breaking in a new QB, they sure are getting allot of pub. Wondering if their 2011 will be like our 2010. I can’t wait to see Oklahoma pop their balloon right out of the gate and put an end to the National Championship talks from their side.

    • Nick says:

      A little bitter there guy? Wouldn’t a true fan look more forward to the Gators get a chance to “pop their ballon”, rather than a stronger Oklahoma doing it? And FYI that new QB played significant snaps in both wins over SEC East opponents

      • Mr2Bits says:

        Bitter is the wrong word as you should say realistic but feel free to go back to your FSU board instead of trolling the Gators ones. Simply stating the obvious that’s all GUY!

    • Aligator says:

      we were that over rated last year, sad to say …

  4. GatorRx says:

    Hopefully we don’t stumble and at least win all of the games we are supposed to. Then win them all at the Swamp and we will have a very good season. We have a lot of talent, so hopefully everyone will play up to their potential.

  5. Alex says:

    I think expectations are very low this year – I really feel like this is a better team than it appears on paper. The defense should be pretty stout. Our offense can be ok if we limit Brantley to an Alabama-style game management role and the O-line can stay healthy. We’ve got the look of some solid tight ends, Burton at H-back, and good tailbacks – I think we might win one or two more than we’re getting credit for. Who knows, though.

  6. Aligator says:

    sounds about right for us, but FSU??? I can not wait to see them get a spanking or two!

  7. Jesse C says:

    I think its safe to say that we have the hardest schedule in the nation….if we are competitive in every game and we come out on top in some of them, I’ll be happy going into 2012.

  8. Fernzpat says:

    We have to READ the articles now? In there entirety??? 🙂

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