Where is Alabama in the Preseason AP Top 25?

For the first time since 2020, when it went on to win its last national title, the Crimson Tide isn't atop the preseason media rankings.

For the first time since 2020, and just the third time over the last eight years, the Alabama Crimson Tide football team isn't No. 1 in the Associated Press Preseason Top 25 Poll. The initial 2023 ranking were released Monday morning, and as expected two-time reigning champion Georgia was listed as the top team.

Alabama was No. 4, with Michigan at No. 2, and Ohio State third. The Crimson Tide didn't receive any first-place votes. 

The Bulldogs were No. 1 in last week's coaches poll as well, but their selection wasn't unanimous. Georgia had 61 of the first-place votes, while No. 3 Alabama had four. They weren't enough to project the Crimson Tide over Michigan at No. 2. 

What does it mean? We'll find out. 

The Crimson Tide last won the national title in 2020, when it was third in the preseason poll, two spots below Clemson. The last time Alabama began a season ranked outside the top three in the AP Top 25 was 2009, when it was No. 5. Of course, it went on to win its first national title under Nick Saban. 

Alabama has been ranked No. 1 at some point of every college football season in the AP Top 25 since 2008. Ironically, that was the last, and only other time Georgia was the preseason No. 1 team. 

Overall, Oklahoma has the record for most times selected preseason No. 1 by the Associated Press, one more than Alabama's nine. No team has won three straight national titles during the AP poll era (1936). Previously the last program to win back-to-back titles was Alabama in 2011-12.

Preseason AP Top 25

Rank, Team, Points, First

1. Georgia 1,572 (60)
2. Michigan 1,490 (2)
3. Ohio State 1,400 (1)
4. Alabama 1,398
5. Louisiana State 1,276
6. Southern California 1,245
7. Penn State 1,177
8. Florida State 1,1147
9. Clemson 1,032
10. Washington 977
11. Texas 882
12. Tennessee 868
13. Notre Dame 863
14. Utah 811
15. Oregon 732
16. Kansas State 501
17. Texas Christian 416
18. Oregon State 406
19. Wisconsin 386
20. Oklahoma 296
21. North Carolina 292
22. Ole Miss 281
23. Texas A&M 227
24. Tulane 224
25. Iowa 131

Others receiving votes: Texas Tech 101, South Carolina 73, UCLA 66, UTSA 64, Arkansas 22, Boise St. 17, Pittsburgh 16, Kentucky 14, Louisville 10, Troy 10, Kansas 10, Auburn 7, Minnesota 6, Toledo 4, Duke 4, Mississippi St. 4, Florida 4, Illinois 3, Baylor 3, Coastal Carolina 3, South Alabama 1, NC State 1, James Madison 1, Liberty 1.

In case you were wondering, here's last week's preseason coaches' poll:

Rank, Team, Points, First

1. Georgia 1,643 (61)
2. Michigan 1,510
3. Alabama 1,489 (4)
4. Ohio State 1,485 (1)
5. Louisiana State 1,294
6. Southern California 1,228
7. Penn State 1,181
8. Florida State 1,1450
9. Clemson 1,0780
10. Tennessee 991
11. Washington 941
12. Texas 848
13. Notre Dame 841
14. Utah 839
15. Oregon 820
16. Texas Christian 655
17. Kansas State 440
18. Oregon State 365
19. Oklahoma 320
20. North Carolina 315
21. Wisconsin 309
22. Ole Miss 303
23. Tulane 250
24. Texas Tech 200
25. Texas A&M 196

Others receiving votes: Iowa 169; South Carolina 89; Florida 63; Texas-San Antonio 59; Pittsburgh 52; UCLA 42; Kentucky 34; Baylor 28; Troy 25; Arkansas 20; NC State 19; Fresno State 19; Boise State 18; Auburn 18; Minnesota 16; Miami 16; Mississippi State 13; Oklahoma State 12; Missouri 11; Maryland 10; Southern Methodist 8; South Alabama 8; Illinois 7; Wake Forest 6; Air Force 6; Toledo 5; Washington State 4; Houston 3; Duke 2; Brigham Young 2; Arizona 2; Memphis 1; Kansas 1; James Madison 1.

SEE ALSO: Is Alabama Football in a Favorable Spot in Preseason Coaches Poll?