Alabama has looked worthy of its No. 1 ranking so far this year with dominating victories over Louisville in its season opener and Arkansas State on Saturday.

The battle to come out on top of the SEC West is never easy in any season, but the ESPN FPI seems confident in the Crimson Tide the rest of the way.

One of their most notable tests comes next week on the road in Oxford against Ole Miss. The matchup has been notable for both programs ever since the Rebels took two straight from the Crimson Tide in both 2014 and 2015. Of course, that was during the Hugh Freeze era, but the Rebels’ offense is still just as explosive … if not more.

Alabama’s schedule near the end of the season is pretty brutal. The Tide will go on the road to LSU in early November before ending the month and the season at home with the Iron Bowl. Aside from LSU and Auburn, Alabama will face a very good Mississippi State at home, too. The Bulldogs have certainly looked worthy of their ranking thus far.

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Here’s how FPI sees things shaking out for the Crimson Tide:

  • at Ole Miss: 83 percent
  • vs. Texas A&M: 88.1 percent
  • vs. Louisiana: 99.7 percent
  • at Arkansas: 95.5 percent
  • vs. Mizzou: 91.9 percent
  • at Tennessee: 94.8 percent
  • at No. 12 LSU: 82.5 percent
  • vs. No. 16 Mississippi State: 83.6 percent
  • vs. The Citadel: 99.9 percent
  • vs. No. 7 Auburn: 81.7 percent

Outside of a cakewalk against The Citadel, three of Alabama’s last four games are against ranked SEC opponents.

If the Crimson Tide come out on top again in 2018, they will have certainly earned it. They also have the tools to do it. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has continued where he left off in the national title game, completing 25 of 35 passes for 455 yards and 6 touchdowns.

With Tagovailoa at the helm, Alabama’s offense may be even better than its defense. And that’s downright scary.