Despite Alabama being favored to repeat, the five-time national champion head coach Nick Saban actually thinks the team his squad beat last year in the title game should be favored.
The Crimson Tide beat Clemson in a thrilling College Football Playoff National Championship, 45-40, last season, but there's plenty of turnover at Alabama.
Vital members on both sides of the ball bounced to the NFL, and the road appears treacherous as always through the SEC. As for the Tigers, Clemson returns eight starters on offense and has a Heisman Trophy candidate under center to start the season. Whether that plays out in Clemson's favor remains to be seen.
Regardless, both squads should be considered right up near the top of the college football landscape when the season kicks off in September.
