Alabama Crimson Tide ranked No. 5 in the first AP Poll

There are just 12 days remaining before week zero kicks off the college football season with Florida State and Georgia Tech playing in Dublin. Until then, preseason predictions, preview magazines, and narratives are being thrown all over the place, but in just a few weeks it will all be settled on the field.

The coaches poll was released last week with the Crimson Tide coming in at No. 5, but the wait was still on for the notorious A.P. Poll.

That wait is finally over as early today the first top-25 was released, and Alabama will begin the 2024 season ranked as the No. 5 team in the land.

Considering that Nick Saban just retired, the usualy flock okf layers moved on to the NFL, and a plethora of others entered the transfer portal, to be honored as the No. 5 team heading into head coach Kalen DeBoer's first season is not to be taken lightly.

Not only is the Crimson Tide led by a head coach who just led his former team to a national championship appearance, but it also boasts a premier roster.

Jalen Milroe returns at quarterback in hopes of elevating his play under quarterback whiz DeBoer while the entire offense will look to build on what was an topsy curvy 2023.

Although the defense lost six former starters to the NFL Draft, safety Malachi Moore, linebacker Deontae Lawson, and a host of returning defensive lineman are back to reinforce defensive coordinator Kane Wommack during his first season in Tuscaloosa.

Alabama's season begins on August 31, when the Crimson Tide welcome Western Kentucky to Bryant-Denny Stadium at 6:30 p.m. Central time.

Related: Three players who must step up for Alabama in 2024