The Marshall University football team could be found in the fine print of the Amway Top 25 coaches poll, released Thursday. West Virginia University, however, was nowhere to be seen.
Alabama was chosen preseason No. 1 by the 64 Football Bowl Subdivision coaches who make up the voting bloc. The defending national champion Crimson Tide earned 55 first-place votes to Clemson’s seven. The Tide beat Clemson 45-40 in January for the crown.
It is Alabama’s 46th time at No. 1 and the third time the Tide opened the season in the top spot. The Tigers start the year at No.