College Football Fans Unhappy With Preseason Ranking Of Notable SEC Program

USA TODAY favored the SEC in its Preseason Coaches Poll on Monday. The Georgia Bulldogs, Texas Longhorns, Alabama Crimson Tide, Ole Miss Rebels, Missouri Tigers, LSU Tigers, Tennessee Volunteers, Oklahoma Sooners, and Texas A&M Aggies all made the top 25.

Nine SEC teams were featured in the rankings, which caused some discussion. One SEC team discussed in volume was Texas A&M. The Aggies came in at No. 20 in the rankings.

A significant change happened at Texas A&M last season. The program fired Jimbo Fisher after beating the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Interim head coach Elijah Robinson led the program in its final two regular-season games against the Abilene Christian Wildcats and LSU Tigers.

Robinson was able to coach the Aggies to a bowl after going 1-1 in those games. Texas A&M faced the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the Texas Bowl and lost, 31-23.

Former Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Elko now leads the program. Elko had a stint coaching the defense and safeties in College Station from 2018-21.

The general reaction to the Aggies being ranked 20th was that they were too high.

The Aggies return key players such as quarterback Connor Weigman, receiver Moose Muhammad III, defensive lineman Shemar Turner, receiver Noah Thomas, and offensive tackle Trey Zuhn III.

However, the program did lose top players like DL Walter Nolen (Ole Miss Rebels), WR Evan Stewart (Oregon Ducks), and DL LT Overton (Alabama Crimson Tide) to the transfer portal.

Texas A&M added recruits from the 2024 class, including former five-star athlete Terry Bussey, former four-star inside offensive lineman Blake Ivy, and former four-star DL Dealyn Evans.

The Aggies brought in transfers like former Alabama defensive back Dezz Ricks, former Purdue Boilermakers edge rusher Nic Scourton, and former Florida Gators linebacker Scooby Williams via the portal.

Texas A&M opens the 2024 season against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Aug. 31.

Related: USA TODAY Officially Reveals Preseason College Football Rankings