Where Preseason Publications Picked Alabama

The season opener between Alabama and Middle Tennessee is less than three months away. And those three months are crucial in the success of the 2023 Alabama Crimson Tide because a new quarterback will be crowned during that stretch. 

Throughout the spring, it looked like it was a battle between redshirt sophomore Jalen Milroe and redshirt freshman Ty Simpson. Neither performed particularly well in the spring game, leading Nick Saban and new offensive coordinator Tommy Rees to pick up Notre Dame quarterback Tyler Buchner from the transfer portal. 

For the first time in several seasons, there's a lot of uncertainty around an Alabama team. Saban has continued to recruit at a high level, so even with a new starter at quarterback this season and multiple starters from last season off to the NFL, there are still high expectations around the 2023 team because of all the talent available. 

Ever since he came to Tuscaloosa in 2007, Saban has helped the Crimson Tide get back to being the premier program in college football. However, Saban prodigy Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs have won back-to-back national championships. The Bulldogs are preseason No. 1 

The national polls will come out closer to the beginning of the season, but here is where some of the preseason publications have Alabama ranked before the first snap is taken.

Athlon Sports

Top 5

1. Georgia

2. Michigan

3. Alabama 

4. USC 

5. Ohio State

What Athlon Sports said about Alabama at No. 3... "Despite all of those question marks, it’s never a good idea to bet against Saban and Co. And of course, it doesn’t hurt to have a roster filled with blue-chip talent on both sides of the ball. The offense should be able to lean on a deep backfield and an emerging line until Buchner, Milroe or Simpson is ready under center. And on defense, Dallas Turner should be the next star edge rusher for Saban, while All-America cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry and five-star freshman Caleb Downs will ease the transition in the secondary. Road games have been a problem for Alabama over the past two years, and the ’23 schedule features a couple of obstacles in trips to Auburn and Texas A&M. Assuming Saban irons out the mental mistakes and penalties that plagued this team in ’22, the roster talent is there to run the table and set up an epic showdown against Georgia in the SEC Championship Game.

Lindy's Sports

Top 5

1. Georgia

2. Michigan

3. Ohio State

4. Alabama 

5. LSU

Phil Steele's College Football Preview

Top 5

1. Georgia

2. Clemson

3. Michigan

4. Alabama 

5. Ohio State

What Phil Steele said about Alabama at No. 4... "Alabama has struggled on the road and does have to go to College Station, but the Tide is dangerous when not preseason #1."