NEW YORK — Alabama will start this season where it ended last season.

The Crimson Tide is on top.

Coach Nick Saban has the Tide rolling the way Bear Bryant did in his day, first in The Associated Press preseason poll for the first time since 1978.

Alabama received 54 of 60 first-place votes from the media panel and 1,491 points to easily outdistance second-ranked Ohio State in the Top 25 released Saturday.

Boise State is third, its best preseason ranking. Florida, Alabama's Southeastern Conference rival, is fourth.