Nearly 70 media members voted in the preseason AP Poll. None of them voted for an SEC team as No. 1. What gives? Why are the media out on the SEC?

There's probably no conspiracy here, and this is a byproduct of the Big Ten producing three straight national champions. The B1G has reloaded, and Ohio State, Oregon and Indiana sparkle with national championship potential this season.

Still, is it not odd that Georgia or Texas did not receive a single first-place vote?

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams break down the AP Poll and debate why the SEC got shut out of first-place votes. Adams makes his case for why Texas should be worthy of a first-place vote, while Toppmeyer outlines a theory as to why nobody voted Texas No. 1.

Later in the episode, the hosts debate whether Alabama got snubbed in the AP Poll. The Tide are ranked No. 13, two spots lower than the US LBM Coaches Poll. Toppmeyer argues that the AP ranking might be an overreaction to the Saban dynasty being finished.

Finally, Toppmeyer and Adams sound off on Jayden Daniels sending a cease and desist to LSU, his alma mater. Fair, or foul?

Nearly 70 media members voted in <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2026/08/17/college-rankings-ap-top-25-coaches-poll-football/91335863007/">the preseason AP Poll</a>. None of them voted for an SEC team as No. 1. What gives? Why are the media out on the SEC? There's probably no conspiracy here, and this is a byproduct of the Big Ten producing three straight national champions. The B1G has reloaded, and Ohio State, Oregon and Indiana sparkle with national championship potential this season. Still, is it not odd that Georgia or Texas did not receive a single first-place vote? On today's episode, hosts <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/staff/2648210001/blake-toppmeyer/">Blake Toppmeyer</a> and <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/staff/2647548001/john-adams/">John Adams</a> break down the AP Poll and debate why the SEC got shut out of first-place votes. Adams makes his case for why Texas should be worthy of a first-place vote, while Toppmeyer outlines a theory as to why nobody voted Texas No. 1. Later in the episode, the hosts debate whether Alabama got snubbed in the AP Poll. The Tide are ranked No. 13, two spots lower than <a href="https://sportsdata.usatoday.com/football/ncaaf/coaches-poll">the US LBM Coaches Poll</a>. Toppmeyer argues that the AP ranking might be an overreaction to the Saban dynasty being finished.
Finally, Toppmeyer and Adams sound off on Jayden Daniels sending a cease and desist to LSU, his alma mater. Fair, or foul?

SEC Football Unfiltered features hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams of the USA TODAY Network serving opinion, debate and analysis on trending college football topics within the Southeastern Conference. No subject is off limits, and no one is above rebuke. Take off the filter and revel in the banter.

SEC Football Unfiltered features hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams of the USA TODAY Network serving opinion, debate and analysis on trending college football topics within the Southeastern Conference. No subject is off limits, and no one is above rebuke. Take off the filter and revel in the banter.