Alabama Football: Making the Case for the Tide at No. 1

The Alabama Crimson Tide are 4-0 heading into their Week 5 matchup against the Florida Gators.

The Tide are ranked No. 3 in the AP Top 25. Sitting behind LSU and Oklahoma.

In their four victories, the Tide have been dominant. Their average margin of victory is just over 30 points per game. Two of their first four opponents are Top 25 teams. In the case of Penn State, not anymore.

The Oklahoma Sooners are the No. 1 team in the nation. They began the season at the top, and have not relinquished their position. The Sooners have a 3-0 record with one huge win over then-No. 5 Florida State.

The LSU Tigers also sit ahead of the Tide. Currently ranked No. 2, the Tigers have secured three victories against Top 25 teams on their way to a 4-0 start. Victories over Oregon and West Virginia are tremendous bonuses. An undefeated LSU team will have a bulletproof BCS resume.

Back to the Tide.

So far this season Alabama is as expected. Their run game is dynamic, defense stifling and their passing attack is just average. Despite their average aerial game, the Tide are still almost impossible to stop.

In Week 4, the Arkansas Razorbacks took on the Tide in each team's SEC opener. It was anticipated. Arkansas was going to give the Tide their first major test. However, at the end of the day the score was 38-14.

A lopsided victory to open SEC play adds to the debate. Who should be the top team in the nation?

Oklahoma has the easiest path to the top. Because they started at the top. Despite their three victories as opposed to four, the Sooners silenced critics with their Week 3 victory over Florida State.

Are the Sooners the best team? Or, are they No.1 only because they started the season at the top?

The LSU Tigers have a tremendous team this season. They also have a tremendous early-season schedule. Early victories against Oregon, Mississippi State and West Virginia, give the Tigers an immense push toward the Sooners' top spot.

That leaves the Tide stuck behind two very good teams. Oklahoma conquered their early-season test. LSU has vanquished their first four challengers.

However, the Tide have been arguably the most dominant team.

Nick Saban's squad has scored two cupcake wins over Kent State and North Texas. However, the Tide also manhandled two Top 25 teams, Penn State and Arkansas.

The ground game is dominant. Trent Richardson is blazing toward another great season.

The defense has been even more dominant. The Tide rank second in the nation in scoring defense, giving up eight points per game.

An argument could be made for any of these three teams to claim the top spot in the AP poll. However, the Tide are the right choice.

Their one-sided victories prove how dominant this Crimson Tide team can be.