Athlon Sports has unveiled its preseason Top 25 for the 2026 college football season, ranking 138 Football Bowl Subdivision programs. The Florida Gators sit at No. 26, just outside the elite 25, positioning them ahead of fellow SEC members Missouri and South Carolina, who are slotted at No. 29 and No. 28 respectively.
SEC Landscape
The ranking reflects a deep SEC field, with traditional powerhouses such as Alabama, Ole Miss, LSU, Texas A&M and Oklahoma all positioned ahead of Florida. Notably, Tennessee occupies the No. 21 spot, five places higher than the Gators, while Auburn, fresh off a new head‑coach appointment, falls eight spots behind at No. 34.
At the very top, Texas and Georgia hold the No. 3 and No. 2 positions, underscoring the conference’s breadth of talent. The early placements highlight how the SEC remains the most competitive conference in the nation, making every preseason spot a point of pride.
With roughly 70 days until kickoff, the Gators have a clear target: climb from the No. 26 slot into the top tier. Head coach Billy Napier and his staff will lean on returning starters and fresh recruits to turn early promise into on‑field momentum.