When it comes to preseason polls and season expectations, there's essentially only one thing Nick Saban hopes for, and that is for his team to control its own destiny.
Thursday morning, when the preseason Amway Coaches Poll was released, he got what he wanted: No. 3. Alabama is still easily within striking distance without having to carry the burden of being No. 1.
No one knows better what a heavy burden that can be. This is the first time since 2009 that Alabama is not first or second in the preseason coaches poll, snapping an incredible five-year run but extending its streak of top-five preseason rankings to seven years.