“Embarrassingly bad”: CFB fans left unimpressed with 2024 College Football SEC Preseason Media Poll 

Ahead of the new college football season, fans and analysts alike start to analyze and predict just how the season will play out, who could be dark horses over the course of the season and which teams stand the best chance to win the national championship.

On Friday, On3 Sports released their official 2024 College Football SEC Preseason Media Poll. The poll ranked each SEC team heading into the new season, and the list garnered mixed reactions from fans online.

Here are some of the fan reactions to the poll on X/Twitter:

"Texas shouldn’t be #2, Alabama shouldn’t be #3, and Mizzou is the definition of being bias based off one single season!" said a fan.

However, some reactions were more positive:

"Looks good for preseason," said one fan.

"Looks good going into the season. I think teams like A&M, Auburn and OU could be better or worse in a big way depending on how things go." said another.

"Best one I’ve seen," another fan said.

Alabama are the reigning SEC champions

The Alabama Crimson Tide are the reigning SEC champions and are currently ranked third in On3 Sports' 2024 College Football SEC Preseason Media Poll. Although the Tide are typically ranked No. 1, this season begins in rather unique circumstances for the SEC giants.

That's because legendary coach Nick Saban won't be in the dugout at Bryant-Denny Stadium for the first time in over a decade after he retired from coaching at the end of last season.

Kalen DeBoer will lead the Crimson Tide into the 2024 college football season, and the former Washington Huskies head coach will likely be under immense pressure. It'll be interesting to see whether Alabama remains its dominant self, making a mockery of the poll, or whether they fall below expectations in the aftermath of coach Saban's retirement.

Which teams did Nick Saban pick to meet in 2024 SEC Championship?

Speaking of coach Saban. The seven-time national championship winner picked the Georgia Bulldogs and Texas Longhorns to meet in the 2024 SEC Championship Game.

Arguably the most important figure in the history of Alabama football doesn't believe his former side can reach this year's SEC Championship Game. The news seemingly caught fans and even some of his former players unaware, but the overall consensus is that it might be one of his legendary mind games to spur them on to success.

The Bulldogs start their season with a game against the Clemson Tigers on Aug. 31, while the Longhorns start theirs against the Colorado State Rams. The Alabama Crimson Tide open their campaign against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.