Alabama softball is ranked No. 5 in both the USA Today/NFCA and ESPN.com/USA Softball preseason polls.
The Crimson Tide received a first-place vote in each of the polls. In the coaches poll, Alabama is behind Florida, Michigan, LSU and Auburn. The USA Softball poll has the same top three but Oregon comes in at fourth while Auburn is No. 6.
The SEC has eight teams ranked in the top 25 of the coaches poll and four in the top five.
Alabama has 12 opponents ranked in the top 25 and has away series with two in the top five (Florida and LSU).
The team starts its season Feb. 12 in the UCF Classic in Orlando, Florida.
