Gators at No. 3 in USA Today preseason poll

The defending National Champion Alabama Crimson Tide earned the No. 1 spot in the USA Today preseason coaches’ poll released Friday with the Florida Gators coming in just two slots behind at No. 3.

In between the two is the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes, which received four first-place votes; Alabama was awarded 55 of 59 possible votes.

Other Southeastern Conference teams ranked by USA Today this preseason include LSU (No. 16), Arkansas (No. 19), Georgia (No. 21) and Auburn (No. 23).

Florida finished last season listed No. 3 in the USA Today and Associated Press polls.