Alabama Tops the Pre-Season Coaches Poll Once Again

With the 2022 college football season only a few weeks away, it’s time for preseason rankings. The annual preseason Coaches Poll was released on Monday, with a familiar name taking the No. 1 spot. Alabama was once again atop the rankings, with 1,634 overall points, and received 54 of 66 first-place votes.

Alabama will be led by the reigning Heisman Trophy winner at quarterback, Bryce Young, along with arguably the best coach in college football, Nick Saban. Despite their loss of talent to the draft, there is still more than enough talent on their roster to believe they’ll be contending for another national championship. Saban and his staff have brought in the No. 2 recruiting class in the country, as well as a handful of impactful transfers. The main pillar of their defense will be junior edge rusher, Will Anderson Jr., one of the best defensive players in the country.

Ohio State grabbed the No. 2 spot in the poll, with 1,564 overall points. The Buckeyes, led by Heisman contender C.J. Stroud, received 5 first-place votes. Reigning national champion, Georgia, took the No. 3 spot, receiving 6 first-place votes.

Clemson checks in at the No. 4 spot, despite coming off of a less than ideal season. With Dabo Sweeney at the helm, there’s little doubt that the Tigers will have a bounce back season, and return to their spot as one of the premiere teams in college football. Notre Dame rounds out the top 5, with new head coach, Marcus Freeman, leading the way for the Fighting Irish.

Here is a look at the rest of the top 25 poll, with first place votes in parentheses.

1. Alabama (54)
2. Ohio State (5)
3. Georgia (6)
4. Clemson
5. Notre Dame
6. Michigan
7. Texas A&M
8. Utah
9. Oklahoma
10. Baylor
11. Oklahoma State
12. Oregon
13. North Carolina State
14. Michigan State
15. USC
16. Pittsburgh
17. Miami
18. Texas (1)
19. Wake Forest
20. Wisconsin
21. Kentucky
22. Cincinnati
23. Arkansas
24. Ole Miss
25. Houston

Other teams receiving votes: Iowa 248; Penn State 246; Tennessee 163; BYU 152; LSU 143; Auburn 98; UCF 55; North Carolina 34; San Diego State 25; Fresno State 21; Mississippi State 19; Florida 17; Utah State 12; Air Force 12; UCLA 10; Boise State 10; Appalachian State 10; Minnesota 6; South Carolina 5; Kansas State 4; Iowa State 3; Army 3; Louisiana 2; SMU 2; Purdue 2; Oregon State 2; Coastal Carolina 2; UTSA 1; Louisville 1; Florida State 1.

Photo credits: Cover Photo: Alabama Athletics

Gallery images: Sean Russell & Cameron Robertson-FAAZ Sports