Two-time defending national champion Alabama are an overwhelming favorite among the coaches to make it three in a row. The Crimson Tide received 58 of the 62 first place votes in the first USA Today Coaches Poll of 2013, which was released on Thursday.

Alabama received 118 more poll points than second place Ohio State, which makes it the biggest preseason favorite since USC in 2005. The Buckeyes received three first place votes while Texas A&M received one. The Aggies are ranked 6th.

The Crimson Tide has appeared in 81 straight polls, which is the nation's best active streak. Even more impressive, the last 33 polls has found Alabama ranked in the top 5.

The SEC appears to be in a great position for an eighth straight BCS championship as five conference teams appear in the top 10 - Alabama at 1, Georgia at 5, Texas A&M at 6, South Carolina at 7, and Florida at 10. Outside of the top 10, however, only one SEC team is in the poll - LSU at 13.

Here's how the entire poll looks:

  1. Alabama
  2. Ohio State
  3. Oregon
  4. Stanford
  5. Georgia
  6. Texas A&M
  7. South Carolina
  8. Clemson
  9. Louisville
  10. Florida
  11. Notre Dame
  12. Florida State
  13. LSU
  14. Oklahoma State
  15. Texas
  16. Oklahoma
  17. Michigan
  18. Nebraska
  19. Boise State
  20. TCU
  21. UCLA
  22. Northwestern
  23. Wisconsin
  24. USC
  25. Oregon State

 

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