Where all of Alabama’s 2023 opponents rank on the AP top-25 Preseason Poll
Alabama will begin the 2023 college football season ranked No. 4, which is the program’s lowest ranking in over a decade. The last time the Tide was this low was back in 2009 when the team started the season ranked No. 5.
While everyone focuses on where their favorite team stands in the rankings, it’s important to see where that team’s opponents rank to start the year.
With Alabama playing a daunting SEC west schedule, it’s not a surprise to see that many opponents will start the year ranked. That being said, the poll changes every week. A top-10 team could easily find itself on the outside looking in.
For now, however, here’s where every 2023 opponent of the Crimson Tide ranks.
Middle Tennessee: Not ranked
This should not come as a surprise. Alabama’s No. 4 ranking is likely safe in Week 1, barring an upset of the century to kick off the 2023 college football season.
Texas: No. 11
The Texas Longhorns rank No. 11 to start the season and will face Rice to open the 2023 season. There’s a decent chance this inaugural All-State Crossbar Classic becomes a top-10 matchup with serious College Football Playoff implications.
South Florida: Not ranked
South Florida managed to earn a single win in 2022, and while there’s really only room for improvement in 2023, voters didn’t feel right giving the Bulls a top-25 bid.
Ole Miss: No. 22
Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss will begin the season ranked No. 22, which I find interesting. As we’ve seen in recent seasons, this program can have some extremely high points and some very low points. When the Rebels face Alabama, I can either see them inside the top-15 or out of the top 25 altogether.
Mississippi State: Not ranked, but received votes
While Mississippi State did not make the top 25, it just barely missed the cut. Some voters decided to place the Bulldogs inside the top 25, and maybe more will once the season gets rolling. However, the team out of Starkville will have to earn the votes with some impressive performances to start the season.
Texas A&M: No. 23
The Aggies are looking to recover from a devastating 2022 season. While the team has enough talent to become a top-15 team, I am a bit shocked to see Texas A&M start the season inside the top 25. It seems the voters were a bit hesitant to have them ranked, as they sit just on the cusp of the top 25.
Arkansas: Not ranked, but received votes
The Razorbacks are never an easy team to take down. Though they didn’t make the preseason top 25, it would not be surprising to see them make it at some point during the season.
Tennessee: No. 12
The Volunteers managed to take down the Crimson Tide in Knoxville last season, which led to a historical and memorable 2022 season that ultimately got the program an Orange Bowl win. Starting the season near the top 10 is huge for Tennessee.
LSU: No. 5
LSU opens the 2023 season ranked No. 5, just one spot behind the Crimson Tide. The Tigers also defeated Alabama in 2022 but will be traveling to Tuscaloosa in 2023. Depending on how the season goes up until these two teams meet in November, it could be a battle between top-five teams with the SEC west title on the line.
Kentucky: Not ranked, but received votes
The Wildcats didn’t make the top 25 but managed to be standing at the doorstep at the start of the season. With this game being so late in the season, it’s likely that Kentucky could be ranked by that time.
Chattanooga: Not ranked, but received votes (kind of)
The Mocs are not ranked to start the season, but I don’t believe too many people expected them to be. Perhaps that’s because they belong to the FCS, which has its own ranking system. That being said, Chattanooga did receive votes in the preseason rankings for the FCS.
Auburn: Not ranked, but received votes
Auburn will enter 2023 unranked but will look to change that as the season goes on. Head coach Hugh Freeze is in his first year with the program and has a lot of work to do to get this team to a competitive level.
