Alabama makes history with No. 1 ranking in AP Poll

On Sunday morning, the Associated Press Poll was released for the first time ahead of the 2016 season.

Not surprisingly, Alabama topped the list at No. 1. With that preseason ranking, the Crimson Tide extended their own record for college football dominance:

9th straight year Alabama has reached No. 1 in the AP Poll, extending its record streak. Previous record was 7 years by Miami from 1986-92.

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 21, 2016

Reaching No. 1 in the AP Poll also extended coach Nick Saban’s incredible run of success at Alabama:

And 9 straight for Saban. Next most for any coach over the last 50 years: Tom Osborne 4 https://t.co/HB3x1DWszZ

— Brad Edwards (@JBradEdwards) August 21, 2016

However, landing at No. 1 in the preseason poll hasn’t worked out for the Tide in recent years:

Fun fact: Alabama has won 4 national titles in 7 years and was not preseason No. 1 in any of them. This is third time in 7 years they are.

— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) August 21, 2016

Will the preseason No. 1 ranking be the kiss of death for the Tide in 2016? Or is this the year Nick Saban and company hold on to the ranking all year and earn a second-straight national championship?

The season opener on Sept. 3 against USC (No. 20 in the AP Poll) in Arlington, Texas, will go a long way in deciding Alabama’s fate this year.