The coaches and the media vary only slightly on where Florida belongs nationally heading into the 2017 college football season.
The Gators are ranked No. 17 in the AP poll (media) that was released Monday, only a spot lower than the coaches poll that came out earlier this month ranking UF at No. 16.
UF finished 14th in last season’s final AP poll after defeating Iowa 30-3 in the Outback Bowl to finish 9-4.
Florida is one of six SEC teams in the AP Top 25.
As anticipated, Alabama enters the season at No. 1, as it did last season. Ohio State is No. 2. The other ranked SEC schools are Auburn (12), LSU (No. 13), Georgia (15), Florida (17) and Tennessee (25).
Florida State is ranked third, Miami 18th and South Florida 19.
The Gators open the season against No. 11 Michigan at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 2.
The first College Football Playoff selection committee rankings are set for Oct. 31. This season’s playoff start Jan. 1, with national semifinals at the Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl. The semifinal winners play for the natioal title at Atlanta’s new Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Jan. 8.
