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SI's Preseason Top 25: Alabama Edges Clemson Atop the Year's First Ranking

We're less than a month out from Week 1 of the 2019 college football season, and it already feels like one thing is sure: Alabama and Clemson are once again atop the sport, just as they have been when they've faced off in three of the last four national championship games.

But SI’s preseason Top 25 is designed to set the expectation for the title chase ahead, so while the Tigers are the reigning champs, it's the Crimson Tide we have in the No. 1 spot. That's thanks to their elite collection of returning talent led by junior QB Tua Tagovailoa, who will be throwing to the likes of top receivers Jerry Jeudy and Jaylen Waddle.