Alabama and Coach Nick Saban have seven first-team all-SEC picks and were the top team in most preseason polls and magazines. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)Alabama is the reigning national champion after a 45-40 victory over Clemson, so it isn’t surprising the Crimson Tide is a popular choice to repeat. The current consensus No. 1 football team in the nation, the Crimson Tide have seven first-team all-Southeastern Conference picks — 13 selections total — and was the top team in several preseason polls and magazines, including ESPN the Magazine, Athlon Sports and Lindy’s. The No. 2 choice is less clear, but here are three teams who should be considered as the second-best team in the country. Oklahoma Sooners Baker Mayfield (AP) The offense returns senior quarterback Baker Mayfield, who won the 2015 Big 12 player of the year award after completing 269 passes for 3,700 yards, 36 touchdowns and seven interceptions. And the Sooners have a capable running-back tandem in Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon, who were given grades of plus-16.1 and plus-15, respectively, by the game charters at Pro Football Focus last year. Wide receiver Sterling Shepard (86 catches for 1,288 yards and 11 touchdowns) is also gone, having been drafted in the second round by the New York Giants. The key will be the offensive line,…
Continue Reading: If Alabama is the top team in college football, who is No. 2?
