If you value the opinion of college football expert Phil Steele, you shouldn’t expect Alabama’s reign of dominance to come to a halt anytime soon. According to the author of one of the most popular college football preview magazines out there, the Crimson Tide are not only projected to be ranked No. 1 in the preseason, but they also project to end the regular season in that same spot.

During a recent interview with WNSP Sports Radio 105.5, Steele had nothing but glowing remarks for Saban’s team entering the 2017 season.

“When you look at Alabama this year, they are once again loaded,” Steele said on the air. “They actually have an experienced quarterback for once. They’ve got the best set of running backs in the country with (Calvin) Ridley, (Robert) Foster and company at receiver, they have one of the best sets of receivers in the country. (Alabama also has) My No. 2-rated offensive line, No. 6-rated defensive line, No. 1 set of linebackers in the country and No. 2 DBs.”

It isn’t just the talent on Alabama’s roster that has Steele expecting big things, he also likes the Crimson Tide’s path entering 2017.

“When you look at their schedule, they will be favored in all 12 games this year, so I do have the Tide making the Playoff,” Steele continued.

As for the teams Steele projects to join Alabama in the Playoff, Steele projects Ohio State at No. 2, USC at No. 3 (Steele commented that the Trojans should also be favored in every game) and Florida State at No. 4.

Considering his No. 1 and his No. 4 team face off in the regular season opener in Atlanta, Steele was asked which team could most afford to lose that game and still make the Playoff in 2017.

“I think both could lose the game and be in the final four,” Steele admitted. “If (Alabama) loses that game to Florida State somehow, they’ve proven they can lose in the past and still make it to the Playoff. An SEC champ is always going to make it to the Playoff, so I think Alabama has the best shot of getting there if they lose, I think both have an outstanding shot at getting there (should they lose).”