Alabama football starts the 2022 season atop the preseason AP Top 25, which was released Monday. The Crimson Tide received 54 first-place votes.
But that's not the biggest news in other corners of the SEC. Kentucky is ranked No. 20, earning a Top 25 spot in the preseason for the first time since 1978. The Wildcats view themselves as SEC East contenders right along with defending national champion Georgia, although USA TODAY Network SEC media voted the Wildcats to finish third in the division in July.
Ohio State (six first-place votes), Georgia (three), Clemson and Notre Dame round out the top five.