SEC Power Rankings for 2019 preseason: Should Vols start in bottom tier?

Preseason SEC Power Rankings for 2019: Should Vols start in bottom tier?

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 08: Head coach Jeremy Pruitt of the Tennessee Volunteers brings his team onto the field prior to a game against the East Tennessee State University Buccaneers at Neyland Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennesee won the game 59-3. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /

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Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images /

Yes, the Florida Gators under Dan Mullen are ahead of the Georgia Bulldogs in our SEC Power Rankings. Last time we checked, Florida also played in a New Year’s Six bowl game last year. Oh, and they played a team that was higher ranked at the time in the Michigan Wolverines than the team that beat the Georgia Bulldogs.

UF won that game in blowout fashion, 41-15, showing just how great Dan Mullen’s offense can be, to finish 10-3. Despite a somewhat tumultuous offseason, they also got a top 10 recruiting class. Oh, and they’re in the top 30 in returning talent, returning 75 percent of their offensive and defensive production.

So coming off an epic win against a better team than Georgia, having a close enough recruiting class and having more returning talent does put UF ahead of the Dawgs to open the season. We didn’t even take into account the way programs take off in the second season in Mullen’s and Urban Meyer’s systems.

As a result, yes, Florida is very high on this list and an SEC Championship contender. They are back as a program, and nobody should bet against them. Riding a four-game winning streak has them entering 2019 with a ton of momentum.

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