BYB Top 25 Countdown - #1 Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama RB T.J. Yeldon

It’s impossible to take a look at Alabama’s roster and not see the talented that makes it a consensus choice for the preseason top spot. A.J. McCarron returns at quarterback and is as poised and as good a game manager as any quarterback in college football.

T.J. Yeldon may be the most talented back Alabama has had in the Nick Saban and will definitely be a first round NFL draft pick next spring. Amari Cooper is as dangerous a threat at receiver as Alabama has had since Julio Jones and is the face of a deep and talented wide receiver corps.

The offensive line, while only returning two starters, is nasty in the trenches. Cyrus Kouandijio will be the next in the rotation line of NFL caliber Tide offensive linemen.

Looking at the Crimson Tide’s defensive rankings from a season ago you see a lot of 1’s, as in the best nationally in rush defense, total defense and scoring defense, allowing only 10.9 points per game. Bama wasn’t too shabby against the pass either, finishing seventh nationally.

The defense will have some new faces this season but at the peak point of its dynasty Alabama is simply plugging in a different hungry five star recruit to begin his assault against SEC offenses.

Stinson returns at defensive end and had 8.5 tackles for a loss in 2012. Bama brings back all four of its starting linebackers in its 3-4 alignment, including All-SEC favorite C.J. Mosley.

In the secondary Alabama brings back one of the best safeties and the best name in the SEC in Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. The Tide should be laughing at opposing offenses all season. I have Alabama at 11-0-1.

It's Nick Saban, Marty! Something Has To Be Done About Nick Saban!

Has anyone seen these future ranking for college football and the NFL on espn.com. I'd put a link to them but they're on Insider. Apparently, the only things ESPN produces that are actually readable or watchable should cost extra but the never ending supply of Skip Bayless and Steven A. Smith (it might be spelled Stephen but I'm not checking because frankly, he doesn't matter as a person) is as accessible as sorority chicks are to Johnny Football.

Anywho, Nebraska came in at a strong, nothing. Nada. Didn't move the needle. Its not discernible what turned ESPN off more - having a 1940's drill sergeant as a coach, playing in a state with more cows than people or recruiting classes with a veritable who's who of Iowa, Kansas and Indiana prep stars.

That said, Nebraska had won nine games or more every year during the Pelini era so saying it won't be in the Top 30 in four years might be a bit of a stretch. And the Huskers' Title Path isn't exactly daunting. The likes of the Leaders Big Ten West include Minnesota, Iowa and Indiana, not LSU, Bama and the Aggies.

Texas Tech was also absent from the list, which after a horrendous few years isn't shocking. But if this is a list based on prognosis then you would have thought the Red Raiders would have received some more love. I'm just excited Business Insider is now saying I didn't piss $80K away entirely. Suns Up, Guns Up!

No reason to go in depth on the NFL future rankings. Everything was pretty much status quo. The Bills were the third lowest ranked team in the NFL. No surprise there. Especially since Buffalo's first round pick this year got this reaction from me.

The one shocker was Dallas coming in at #24. Inept ownership, coaching, scouting and general scheme aside, the Cowboys usually stay in the middle of the pack. Maybe ESPN isn't enthused with the plan to allow this character to call the plays. Understandable.