Gators Ranked 17th in preseason AP Top 25

Fans came out in full force for Saturday's UF Football Fan Day at the team's practice facility. (Photo: Tim Casey/UAA Communications)

Gators Ranked 17th in preseason AP Top 25

Monday, August 21, 2017 | Football, Scott Carter

UF ranked in preseason in back-to-back seasons for first time since 2012-13.

By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The Gators will open the season ranked No. 17 in the AP Top 25 preseason poll, released Monday afternoon.

The ranking is Florida's highest in the AP preseason poll since opening 10th in 2013 and first time under head coach Jim McElwain that the Gators are in the AP Top 25 to start the season in back-to-back years. The Gators opened last season at No. 25.

Michigan, Florida's opponent in the season opener Sept. 2, is ranked 11th.

In the USA Today/Amway Coaches Poll released last month, the Gators checked in at No. 16 and the Wolverines No. 9.

Defending Southeastern Conference champion Alabama is No. 1, followed by Ohio State, Florida State, Southern Cal and defending national champion Clemson to round out the top five spots, the same order as the coaches' poll.

Meanwhile, the SEC has six teams in the Top 25 as Auburn (No. 12), LSU (No. 13), Georgia (No. 15) and Tennessee (No. 25) join Florida and Alabama.