Last year, Alabama overcame a midseason loss to LSU, worked its way back into the title-game picture when Oklahoma State fell to Iowa State and beat up the Tigers in Round 2 in an ugly national championship game.

Months later, Alabama is without talented running back Trent Richardson and a handful of defensive playmakers, and while the Crimson Tide have players more than capable of stepping into these roles, they certainly have their work cut out for them.

Alabama most certainly will be ranked in the Top Three, and rightfully so, but heading into the season as the top team overall is a different story.

There are plenty of opinions on preseason polls and how (or if) they should be conducted, but given the current status of these polls, it’s a question that should be asked. The Tide will be very good once again, but should they enter where they left off?

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