Alabama is No. 1 in the Associated Press preseason college football poll for the second straight season and ninth time overall.
Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young, national defensive player of the year Will Anderson Jr. and the Crimson Tide received 54 of 63 first-place votes and 1,566 points in the Top 25.
Ohio State is No. 2 with six first-place votes (1,506 points) from the media panel, and defending national champion Georgia is third with three first-place votes (1,455 points). Clemson is No. 4. Notre Dame rounds out the top five.
The Tide’s preseason No. 1 ranking is their seventh in 15 years under coach Nick Saban. Since the preseason rankings started in 1950, only Oklahoma, with 10 appearances, has been No. 1 in the initial poll more often than Alabama.
** The Crimson Tide started last season No. 1 and finished ranked No. 2 after losing the national championship game to the Southeastern Conference-rival Bulldogs.
AP Top 25 Football Poll
1. Alabama
2. Ohio St.
3. Georgia
4. Clemson
5. Notre Dame
6. Texas A&M
7. Utah
8. Michigan
9. Oklahoma
10. Baylor
