The Southeastern Conference continued its dominance of collegiate football Friday with the release of the USA Today Top 25 Coaches’ Poll when half of its member teams earned rankings.

Alabama, Florida, LSU, Arkansas, Georgia and Auburn all earned rankings, meaning SEC programs made up 24 percent of the poll.

When you factor in teams that received votes but did not get ranked, the SEC had nine teams represented — Kentucky, Tennessee and Vanderbilt were the only programs left out.

Yes, preseason polls are an inexact science — Georgia was ranked No. 1 in 2008 — but this does show the level of respect coaches around the nation have for the conference.

Four consecutive national championships and six titles since 1998 will earn you that kind of honor.

Coaches from around the nation are learning what fans in the south have known for years — it doesn’t get much better than SEC football.

This is sure to be another great season for the SEC and many fans can’t wait for the season to start Sept. 4.