How Alabama’s No. 4 ranking in the AP Top 25 poll impacts Crimson Tide National Championship, CFP odds

Akron Beacon Journal
 
How Alabama’s No. 4 ranking in the AP Top 25 poll impacts Crimson Tide National Championship, CFP odds

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The Associated Press released the college football preseason Top 25 ranking today, and the Alabama Crimson Tide’s No. 4 spot is the school’s worst ranking since 2009. It also marks the first time since 2015 that Alabama failed to receive a single vote for No. 1.

While some may view this as another reason to believe Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide are slowly falling out of relevance, it’s also a testament to the incredibly high standard that Saban has set.

Many believe the preseason AP Top 25 should be abolished in favor of the rankings coming out after Week 1. Regardless, the Crimson Tide’s 2023 betting futures will surely be impacted by the unusually-low ranking.

Before the AP Top 25 poll was released, the Crimson Tide held the second-shortest odds to win the College Football National Championship, trailing only Georgia. But Alabama’s No. 4 spot in the AP could alter the National Championship odds market.

As the 2023 college football regular season kickoff approaches, fans will rush to mobile betting sites to place futures wagers. Some may use the preseason AP Top 25 as a tool to make an informed bet.

However, simply reviewing the Top 25 doesn’t provide nearly enough information to predict a team’s season. So whether or not the Crimson Tide deserves to slip in the College Football Playoff National Championship odds board, a fall could be inevitable.

Prior to the release of the AP’s Top 25 rankings, we delved into Alabama’s 2023 season outlook. While the lines might fluctuate, hopefully lengthening for would-be Alabama futures bettors, it provides some insight of what to expect this season.

The Crimson Tide faithful will likely take the AP poll as a slap in the face, but it should be reason for celebration. If you plan to bet on Alabama to win the National Championship or make the College Football Playoff, longer odds could be coming.

It’s time to wait it out and see how the odds fluctuate over the coming weeks. As the casual college football bettors skim the AP Top 25 before finalizing futures bets, the Tide’s odds will slowly increase.

And who wouldn’t want to get their preferred betting market at the highest number possible?

Don’t let the No. 4 ranking bug you, Alabama fans. It could have a positive impact on your sports betting account’s bankroll.

Plus, the Crimson Tide won it all the last time it was ranked this low in the preseason AP Top 25 in 2009.

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