Preseason College Football Rankings 2012: Where Will SEC Teams Land in Top 25?

The SEC could have seven teams ranked in the Top 25 when the rankings debut before the season. 

There is no questioning how dominant the SEC is in college football. Just look at last season's national championship game; the game featured two SEC schools, LSU and Alabama.

The voters chose to have a rematch of two SEC schools. They believed that although Alabama had lost to LSU, they were still the second-best team in the country. 

As history shows, Alabama dominated the rematch and won the national title. 

The debate will continue to rage on as to whether Alabama deserved that rematch

The SEC has five teams that have the talent to contend for the conference title. The five teams are LSU, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia and South Carolina. These five teams have the talent to remain entrenched in the Top 25 all season. 

Florida and Auburn both have the chance to be good football teams. At this point, however, both of them have too many questions that need answers before we can group them in with the big five. 

Here is a projection of where I see the top SEC teams being ranked when the first poll is released:

No. 2 - LSU

LSU won the SEC last year and entered the national championship game undefeated. Unfortunately for the Tigers, they got shut out by Alabama and finished the season ranked second. 

They are bringing back all of their offensive weapons except quarterbacks Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee. They will be depending on Georgia transfer Zach Mettenberger at quarterback this season but as long as he is average, this team will be very good.

The Tigers' quarterback tandem struggled through most of last season's run. Mettenberger has the potential to be a major upgrade over last year's tandem.

This team's strength will be on defense, where the Tigers bring back cornerback Tyrann Mathieu and Sam Montgomery, both of whom will be first-round draft picks when they leave school and declare for the NFL draft.

The defense will likely be ranked in the top five throughout the season. They also have eight home games in 2012.

This team is poised to be in contention for the national title all season.

No. 3 - Alabama 

Alabama loses Trent Richardson, Mark Barron, Dre Kirkpatrick and Courtney Upshaw to the NFL draft. 

Running back Eddie Lacy should be able to replace a lot of Richardson's production. They also bring back Barrett Jones, who won the Outland Trophy and should help anchor a good offensive line. 

AJ McCarron should also be better this year, making the Tide's passing game more explosive. 

Nick Saban is among the best recruiters in the country and welcomes top-five class after top-five to Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide reload like no other team in the country and are always stacked with talented players.

It is a safe bet that Nick Saban will have his defense ready when they meet Denard Robinson and the Michigan Wolverines on September 1st

Don't expect Alabama to take a major step back; the voters certainly won't. 

No. 5 - Georgia 

Georgia is bringing back 10 starters from last year's solid unit. The extra year and experience should make this group become a top-15 defense this year. 

They also bring back quarterback Aaron Murray, who is an elite quarterback. Running back Isaiah Crowell should only continue to improve as he enters his second season at Georgia. 

Crowell has the potential to be a game-changer for the Bulldogs with his break-away speed.

Wideout Malcom Mitchell will be Murray's favorite target and should have a big year. 

Georgia doesn't play Alabama, LSU or Arkansas this year and is the early favorite to win the SEC East.

No. 7 - Arkansas

Arkansas may take a slight tumble from where they were expected to be ranked due to Bobby Petrino's departure from the school.

We don't know who will be the head coach of this very promising team this season. 

Quarterback Tyler Wilson and running back Knile Davis will lead an explosive attack against the rest of the SEC this season.

They have the good fortune of playing Alabama and LSU at home. This year is set up to be the year that Arkansas breaks through and wins the SEC West. 

Until Arkansas can get another good head coach, the breakthrough won't be likely to come. 

No. 10 - South Carolina

South Carolina depended on their great defense last season, but Stephon Gilmore and Melvin Ingram are no longer in Columbia to lead that unit. 

Marcus Lattimore is one of the best running backs in the country when healthy. His production should be enough to power an effective offensive attack. 

Connor Shaw was good last season, throwing 14 touchdowns versus just six interceptions. Shaw should be even better in 2012. 

The Gamecocks have talent to re-tool their defense, so they should be a balanced.

Florida and Auburn may appear at the end of the rankings. If not, they will be among the schools who do receive some votes. 

Both teams are loaded with a ton of talent due to their schools' recruiting prowess.

The SEC will be loaded at the top but weak at the bottom, with schools like Tennessee and Ole Miss.

Now we just have to find a way to fast forward to football season so we can see exactly who is the best team in the SEC.