College Football Top 25: Buying or selling the 2015 preseason rankings

Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Highest Rank: 2 (Athlon)
Lowest Rank:  5 (SN, SI)

BUYING (Sort of)

Alabama is still one of the most talented teams in the nation, and definitely shouldn’t be counted out of the national championship race, but the two polls who have them at No. 5 are probably closer to correct.

The Crimson Tide have some serious quarterback questions, as well as trying to fix a pass defense which ranked 59th in the nation last season – unheard of for a Kirby Smart defense. That problem was exploited in the second half of the national semifinal against Ohio State, and don’t think that every SEC coach isn’t still studying that film.

Besides those two problems, Nick Saban also has to figure out how to replace two of the most productive offensive weapons in school history, namely wide receiver Amari Cooper and running back T.J. Yeldon.

Never say never when it comes to Nick Saban and the Tide, that’s why I’m buying into a higher ranking, but it could easily be outside the Top 10.

Next: Baylor