When the AP Top 25 preseason poll was released on Sunday, Alabama checked in at #3 behind Ohio State and TCU respectively. Baylor and Michigan State rounded out the top five.

Alabama received the same ranking in the preseason USA Today Coaches Poll, but in that poll Alabama received one first place vote. In the AP poll Ohio State became the first team in the poll’s history to receive every first place vote in the preseason edition.

Alabama won’t have to wait long to play a ranked opponent.  The Crimson Tide opens the season with #20 Wisconsin on Sept. 5.

Other Takeaways:

• This was Alabama’s lowest preseason ranking in the AP poll since 2009 when the Crimson Tide was ranked #5.
• Seven of Alabama’s regular season opponents are ranked in the top 25.
• Eight total SEC teams were ranked in the poll.
• The next closest conference, the Pac-12, had six teams ranked.
• Two of Alabama’s games come on the road against top 10 teams this year (#6 Auburn and #9 Georgia).