NCAA.com releases CFB pre-season top 25

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15. Michigan Wolverines
14. Texas Longhorns
13. Texas A&M Aggies
12. Oklahoma State Cowboys
11. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

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247Sports take: Michigan must find a way to beat Ohio State while both Texas and Texas A&M will lean on multi-year starters at quarterback to take them to where they want to be. ... Notre Dame hopes Ian Book's return at quarterback leads to a big season, including a win over Clemson at home in November.

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10. Auburn Tigers
9. Florida Gators

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NCAA.com: "Yes, the Gators have to solve rival Georgia. But Florida has gone 10-3 and 11-2 in Dan Mullen's first two seasons, including a pair of New Year's Six wins."

247Sports take: We're on the Florida bandwagon too, picking the Gators as our surprise final four team next season largely due to Kyle Trask's return as one of the SEC's top-level signal callers.

For the first time in years, the Gators don't have to worry about protection being an issue with a front that should be able to dominate at the point of attack. Mullen has the program moving in a noteworthy direction and the next huge leap comes in 2020.

... Auburn is a tough team to project in 2020 given the schedule brutality, but Chad Morris promises to re-ignite a rushing attack that was largely non-existent at times last season. Bo Nix could emerge as a sophomore as a difference-maker in the passing game.

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5. GEORGIA BULLDOGS

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NCAA.com: "When it comes to talent, Georgia will again be up there among Clemson, Alabama and Ohio State. The Bulldogs got a boost with Wake Forest transfer QB Jamie Newman picking UGA. The Dawgs will also again have one of the top defenses in the country."

247Sports take: Seeking its fourth consecutive trip to the SEC Championship Game, Georgia knows the SEC East will once again run through Athens, but this season's team will look vastly different than the previous three. Like several other teams breaking in a transfer quarterback who isn't familiar with the playbook, the Bulldogs won't have the luxury of spring practice to acclimate Newman offensively. It'll be interesting to see Georgia's new-look offense adjusts and if the transition goes smoothly in September.

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4. LSU TIGERS

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NCAA.com: "Yes, Heisman winner Joe Burrow is headed to the NFL after a historic senior season, with Myles Brennan possibly taking over for head coach Ed Orgeron. Plus Biletnikoff winner Ja'Marr Chase will be back in Death Valley. However, LSU will lose DC Dave Aranda, who's left to become the Baylor head coach."

247Sports take: Too high for the Tigers given what we know nearly three months out from LSU's national championship? The two-deep is going to look vastly different and Orgeron has been forced to replace his top two assistant coaches. But he's been here before — few considered his team a title contender this time last year with Burrow gearing up for his senior season. Getting over the hump vs. Alabama was crucial to the program's confidence level. An early-season matchup with Texas is a big one for both teams.

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3. ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE

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NCAA.com: "Tua Tagovailoa is gone, but the offense should still be among the nation's best — no matter which player lines up at QB. Mac Jones passed for 327 yards and three touchdowns in the bowl win vs. Michigan, plus there's 5-star QB Bryce Young."

247Sports take: With Dylan Moses, Najee Harris and DeVonta Smith coming back — among others — in a talent-rich two-deep, Alabama should be the preseason SEC favorite given LSU's substantial losses. Jones is more Jake Coker than Tagovailoa, but Alabama's staff is confident in his abilities at quarterback and there's depth behind him. Will Nick Saban's defense return to elite status is the primary question. That early-season game vs. Georgia in Tuscaloosa is salivating.

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