Alabama is not on top of my AP preseason college football ballot

The Associated Press preseason college football poll for 2018 is out.

I am a voter.

I am not, however, the voter who gave Kentucky a vote for the Top 25.

Here’s my ballot:

1. Clemson
2. Alabama
3. Ohio State
4. Auburn
5. Washington
6. Oklahoma
7. Georgia
8. Stanford
9. Wisconsin
10. Miami
11. Mississippi State
12. Michigan
13. West Virginia
14. Penn State
15. Notre Dame
16. North Carolina State
17. Michigan State
18. Utah
19. Virginia Tech
20. Central Florida
21. Southern Cal
22. Boise State
23. South Carolina
24. Kansas State
25. Texas

My toughest decision was what to do about Ohio State given the uncertain status of head coach Urban Meyer. I decided to judge the Buckeyes on talent alone, no matter what happens with the coaching situation.

You can find a list of all the voters and a link to how they voted by clicking here.

Now here’s the actual preseason Top 25:

1. Alabama
2. Clemson
3. Georgia
4. Wisconsin
5. Ohio State
6. Washington
7. Oklahoma
8. Miami
9. Auburn
10. Penn State
11. Michigan State
12. Notre Dame
13. Stanford
14. Michigan
15. Southern Cal
16. TCU
17. West Virginia
18. Mississippi State
19. Florida State
20. Virginia Tech
21. Central Florida
22. Boise State
23. Texas
24. Oregon
25. LSU

Links to recent Kentucky football stories

▪ Can the new NCAA redshirt rule help Kentucky?

▪ Is Kentucky football’s 2018 schedule tougher than 2017?

▪ Getting to know the Wildcats better: position by position

▪ Kentucky’s offense turns it around in second scrimmage

▪ How Kentucky football coaches have fared in season six

▪ Ranking the SEC football coaches 1 through 14

▪ Fans voice strong opinions on how UK football can create a defining symbol

This story was originally published August 20, 2018 at 1:52 PM.