With fall camp starting in two weeks (August 17) for Southeastern Conference schools, the first preseason rankings for college football are out.
According to USA TODAY Sports, the Amway Coaches Poll released its Top-25 rankings on Thursday and the University of Alabama football program stands at No. 3. After not making the College Football Playoff last year for the first time since its inception in 2014, Alabama is focused on nothing less than winning a conference title and a national championship.
In entering his 14th year as head coach of the Crimson Tide, Nick Saban may have the toughest schedule of his tenure.
The SEC decided to go to a 10-game, conference-only schedule and along with Alabama, Georgia (No. 4), LSU (No. 5), Florida (No. 8), Auburn (No. 11) and Texas A&M (No. 13) all represent the conference in the Top-25.
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Saban and the Tide will face all five programs, as this year’s national champion must earn its way into the CFP.
Amway Coaches Poll Top-25 preseason rankings
1. Clemson
2. Ohio State
3. Alabama
4. Georgia
5. LSU
6. Oklahoma
7. Penn State
8. Florida
9. Oregon
10. Notre Dame
11. Auburn
12. Wisconsin
13. Texas A&M
14. Texas
15. Michigan
16. Oklahoma State
17. USC
18. Minnesota
19. North Carolina
20. Utah
21. UCF
22. Cincinnati
23. Iowa
24. Virginia Tech
25. Iowa State
Saban is going after a seventh national title, which would put him over the legendary Paul W. “Bear” Bryant.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
