![Alabama Debuts at No. 3 in Initial AP Poll](http://townsquare.media/site/531/files/2020/08/GettyImages-1191122240.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Alabama Debuts at No. 3 in Initial AP Poll
After finishing the 2019 season ranked No. 8 in the AP Poll, the Alabama Crimson Tide debuts at No. 3 in the inaugural AP Poll of the 2020 season. Alabama is the highest ranking SEC team and the second highest ranked team that is planning on having a season. Alabama received two first-place votes, Clemson and Ohio State were ranked first and second ahead of the Tide respectively.
The SEC leads all conferences with seven representatives in the AP Top-25.
- 3. Alabama
- 4. Georgia
- 6. LSU
- 8. Florida
- 11. Auburn
- 13. Texas A&M
- 25. Tennessee
- Others receiving votes: Kentucky, Mississippi State
AP Poll voters were instructed to cast their votes whether a team was scheduled to play a season or not. Nine schools were ranked in the top-25 despite having their conferences cancel the 2020 season.
The Crimson Tide brings back 18 starters from the 2019 team that finished the year 11-2, losing to LSU and Auburn by a combined six points last season.
Alabama will have a new starting quarterback in either Mac Jones or Bryce Young however either player will be surrounded by a bevy of experience on the offensive side of the ball. The Tide only lost one offensive lineman and returns premiere skill position players in Najee Harris, Devonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle.
Defensively, Alabama will enjoy the return of Dylan Moses and Joshua McMillion in the middle and is expecting a major step up from rising sophomore Christian Barmore.
The Crimson Tide will open the season on the road against Missouri on Sept. 26.
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Alabama's 2020 Schedule
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