Alabama got the lion’s share of the votes (49 out 65) first place votes. The remaining top five picks are Ohio State (five votes), Florida State (four votes), USC and Clemson (seven votes).
Last season, Alabama lost in the last second of the National Championship game to Clemson. This is the fourth time that Alabama has been ranked Number One heading into the season. None of those three previous times did it win the title. In the four championship seasons under head coach Nick Saban, Alabama was not favored coming into the season.
The poll favorites include six SEC teams, five ACC teams, for Big 10 teams, and four in the PAC 12. The Crimson Tide is the only SEC team in the Top 10. LSU is the next highest at Number 12. All four of the Big 10 teams are in the Top 10.
Here is a full rundown of the Top 25 (via USA Today)
1. Alabama (49)
2. Ohio State (5)
3. Florida State (4)
4. USC
5. Clemson (7)
6. Penn State
7. Washington
8. Oklahoma
9. Michigan
10. Wisconsin
11. Oklahoma State
12. LSU
13. Auburn
14. Stanford
15. Georgia
16. Florida
17. Louisville
18. Miami (Fla.)
19. Kansas State
20. West Virginia
21. South Florida
22. Virginia Tech
23. Texas
24. Tennessee
25. Utah