Alabama Tops AP Preseason Football Poll, 5 Players Named All-Americans

Alabama’s football program has been ranked the No. 1 team in the nation for the second straight year, according to an Associated Press preseason Top 25 poll released Monday.

AP Preseason Football Poll News

The Crimson Tide — led by coach Nick Saban — received 52 of 61 first-place votes from the media panel and 1,513 points in the poll.

Alabama is coming off a last-second 35-31 loss to Clemson in the last NCAA championship game in January.

The Tide boasts several strong players. Quarterback Jalen Hurts impressed in his freshman season last year by compiling 2,780 passing yards and 36 total touchdowns. In addition, five Alabama players were named preseason Associated Press All-Americans on Tuesday.

Defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick was the Tide’s lone first-team selection. Running back Bo Scarbrough, wide receiver Calvin Ridley, offensive tackle Jonah Williams and punter JK Scott were named to the second-team.

Fitzpatrick, a first-team All-American last year, and Ridley received the most votes (232). In July, a record ten Alabama players were selected to the first-team of the media’s preseason All-SEC team.

Alabama have finished in the top five of the AP preseason poll for nine straight years. They are also the top-ranked team on the AP preseason poll for the sixth time in history and the fourth time under Saban, who has led the football program since 2007.

Only Florida State boasts more consecutive top-five finishes with 11, five of which came under former coach Bobby Bowden. FSU is ranked third in this year’s AP preseason poll, behind second-place Ohio State. Southern California and Clemson round out this year’s top five teams.

Penn State, Oklahoma, Washington, Wisconsin and Oklahoma State round out the top 10.

Alabama is the only Southeastern Conference team in the top 10, but the SEC still leads the way with six teams in the Top 25.

According to AL.com, Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said he doesn’t care about polls, while FSU’s Jimbo Fisher revealed he voted Alabama No. 1 in his coaches poll.

GLENDALE, AZ – JANUARY 11: O.J. Howard #88 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates after scoring a 53 yard touchdown in the third quarter against the Clemson Tigers during the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)