Alabama football dominates Preseason Coaches Poll

Alabama football comes into 2021 as the best team

The USA Today Amway Coaches Poll doesn’t mean much for the postseason, but it’s a great way of seeing what coaches think of the other teams. While some don’t take it seriously, it’s at least a measuring stick to start the college football season. As expected, Alabama football is at the top of the list.

The Crimson Tide received 63 of the 65 first-place votes, crushing the competition. The only other votes went to Oklahoma, who ended up third overall.

Despite failing to reach the national championship and losing their star quarterback, Clemson came in at second overall. They received no first-place votes, but they remain near the top of every coach’s list. Ohio State rounds out the top four, and Georgia received fifth overall.

Alabama football has five opponents on the preseason top 25 list. Texas A&M was sixth overall, Florida was 11th, LSU was 13th, Miami was 16th and Ole Miss was 25th. Auburn, Arkansas and Mississippi State also received votes.

Despite losing almost every starter from last year’s offense, Alabama football remains the favorite to win it all in 2021-22. Bryce Young is ready to take over as the team’s starting quarterback, and there are young stars ready to take over at key positions.

Alabama’s defense looks solid after returning eight starters. Henry To’o To’o will replace Dylan Moses at inside linebacker, giving Alabama football nine players with significant starting experience in the SEC. Alabama has plenty of depth in the secondary and on the defensive line, and this will carry the Tide through their SEC schedule.

The Coaches Poll precedes the AP poll, which is seen as a more reliable ranking for college football. Regardless, the only ranking that matters at the end of the day is the College Football Playoff Selection Committee. Regardless of who thinks you’re the best in August, you have to prove to them that you’re the best at the end of the year.

Still, this is a solid starting point for Alabama, and they’ll have plenty of tests over the course of the regular season against ranked opponents.