Alabama tops Georgia in first USA Today preseason college football poll

As USA Today points out, preseason polls aren't any kind of indicator as to how a team will play once the season gets underway. In fact, Alabama has won only one championship during the six times the Tide have been named No. 1 in the preseason coaches poll. 

Nevertheless, the poll shows that the Crimson Tide are still very much the team to beat, regardless of the rumors that have floated around about the team this offseason. Saban has been at the center of multiple storylines this summer, most notably for being accused of breaking recruiting protocol and for potentially counting down to his retirement.