Shocker: Alabama tops 2013 preseason polls

A.J. McCarron and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix

Receiving 58 of 62 possible first place votes, defending NCAA Division I Football national champions Alabama sit atop the 2013 USA Today Coaches Poll.

Going 13-1 last season and disposing of Notre Dame in the national championship game, the Crimson Tide are returning six offensive starters including quarterback A.J. McCarron and 11 starters on a defense that was easily considered the best in the country. They have a defensive back named Ha Ha (Ha'Sean) Clinton-Dix. How could they not be no. 1?


I can't dispute having Alabama on top. There's no question they deserve to be there. Well, here's where I think they should go compared to what the coaches thought.

Joe's rankings (Coaches rank):

Ohio State's Urban Meyer

1. Alabama
2. Ohio State (#2)- If it wasn't swaps for tattoos and memorabilia, Ohio State would have been in the national championship game last year. Urban Meyer is THE best coach in college football (yeah, I said it) and he'll have his Buckeyes in the top two spots all year.
3. Oregon (#3)- The Ducks have the flashy offense to match up with these flashy uniforms they wear. I'm always wary on Pac 12 teams, but Oregon will just outscore opponents, much like they've done the past few years.
4. Texas A&M (#6)- Johnny Football is going to grow up and cut out all of these distractions. It's a risky pick. If he remains this immature little spoiled boy, A&M loses four, five times this season. If he stays focused, A&M will be extremely dangerous.

   

   Louisville's Teddy Bridgewater

5. Louisville (#9)- Teddy Bridgewater doesn't get the credit he deserves and the Cardinals upsetting then no. 4 Florida in the Sugar Bowl doesn't get the credit it deserves either. Bridgewater is an early Heisman frontrunner and Louisville are clear favorites to win the new American Athletic Conference.
6. Georgia (#5)- The Bulldogs defense took a big hit as only one defensive lineman (Garrison Smith) and one linebacker (Amarlo Herrera) returns to the 3-4 scheme. But there's tons of talent and watch out for Herrera. Aaron Murray returns at quarterback with one of his favorite targets, Malcolm Mitchell back as well. 
7. Stanford (#4)- It's all about defense with Stanford and the Cardinal should have a solid one again this season. QB Kevin Hogan will get to play a full season under center after platooning with Josh Nunes last year.
8. South Carolina (#7)- Rejoice: Jadeveon Clowney has returned and we'll get to see if he really is as good as his ESPN Top Play forever performance. Mike Davis gets the full time nod at running back with the departure of Marcus Lattimore and Connor Shaw's return might prove huge.
9. Florida (#10)- The Gators will want to prove their worth after that Sugar Bowl defeat to Louisville. Only 10 starters return and they will have difficulty competing in the SEC. Jeff Driskel will look to prove himself a big time QB in his junior year. 
10. Clemson (#8)- Tajh Boyd is coming off a 3,896 yard passing season, though it was at points inconsistent. He has proved he can win the big game after beating LSU in the Chick-fil-A Bowl last season.

    

    Clemson's Tajh Boyd

11. LSU (#13)- Cam Cameron should do some big things with the offensive talent he has at LSU. Zach Mettenberger is no Joe Flacco, but his numbers should improve big time after a 2,609 yard season last year as long as his two returning receivers, Odhell Beckham and Jarvis Landry, can hold onto the ball.
12. Oklahoma State (#14)- My favorite, and a lot of people's favorite to win the Big 12, Oklahoma State returns Big 12 defensive newcomer of the year Calvin Barnett and quarterback Clint Chelf that will provide sturdy leaders on both sides of the ball. 
13. Texas (#15)- This is Case McCoy's year. I'm sure the Longhorns feel they are being disprespected with this ranking. They return the most experienced QB and backfield in the Big 12 and they'll be playing with a chip on their shoulder. Very, very dangerous, but I still think Oklahoma State is the team to beat in the conference.
14. Michigan (#17)- I like the offensive line even though they lost three starters. The rushing game will still benefit big time. Devin Gardner has the responsibility of replacing Denard Robinson, but he should fare fine. There's a slight chance they beat Ohio State this year. Very, very slim, but it's possible.
15. Oklahoma (#16)- The defense has taken Oklahoma out of the top 10 for me. With such a shotty looking secondary, there is going to be a lot of pressure on the defensive line to get after the quarterback. I think it's doubtful.  
16. Boise State (#19)- There's something about these next two teams. I can never count out Boise State. They always come out with a very solid offense and a defense okay enough to get to double-digit wins. I'm expecting a big year from Joe Southwick. 
17. Nebraska (#18)- Taylor Martinez is electrifying and he is going to be fun to watch. He'll give

    

    Nebraska's Taylor Martinez

    Bridgewater plenty of competition for the Heisman this year. The defense will be the Achilles heel of this team.
18. Florida State (#12)- One of my best friends went to Florida State. Every year, I want them to do well for him. For a while they've been ranked high and then plummet. Jacob Coker has a big time arm,  if he wins the starting job, maybe he can change things.
19. Notre Dame (#11)- I feel like we do this same song and dance ever year. Every single media outlet WANTS Notre Dame to be successful. Most of the time, they aren't. Last year was a fluke and they didn't deserve to be on the same field as Alabama for the national championship.
20. USC (#24)- The Trojans are capabale of so much more and things would have been a lot different if they had beat Notre Dame last season. Max Wittek has not secured the starting position yet. But he will, and he'll have a solid enough season to out-do rival UCLA.
21. UCLA (#21)- UCLA goes higher if they can establish an every down back. We're going to see a fight for Southern California this year and it's going to be a doozy.
22. TCU (#20)- The offensive line was a big question mark as it was going into this season. It just got worse. Starting right tackle Tayo Fabuluje has quit the team today. I thought about dropping the Horned Frogs out of the rankings, but not yet.
23. Wisconsin (#23)- Last year, Melvin Gordon averaged 10.3 yards per carry in 61 rushes. That's obscene. He'll need to be that good for everyone to forget about Montee Ball. Joel Stave has five of his leading receivers from last year returning this year.
24. Oregon State (#25)- The Beavers went from 3-9 in 2011 to 9-4 in 2012. Things are looking up as four starters from the offensive line will protect either Sean Mannion or Cody Vaz. Both provide solid options if they don't platoon this year.
25. Northwestern (#22)- Northwestern has always been offense. That might change this year with an athletic, fast group of pass rushers. Tyler Scott is coming off a 12.5 sack season and might be a Bednarik Award finalist.