Chris Dufresne’s preseason college football top 25: No. 4 Alabama

The Times’ Chris Dufresne unveils his preseason college football top 25, one day (and team) at a time.

No. 4 Alabama

Alabama has been tabbed the preseason No.1 by just about everyone: USA Today, Associated Press, Yahoo, Sporting News, Lindy’s — and probably Cindy’s.

The voice we trust here, though, trumps all — Alabama Coach Nick Saban.

“A realistic view of this team is that we’ve lost 11 starters, a punter, a kicker and a great return game,” Saban said at Southeastern Conference media day.

It’s easy to get caught up with the euphoria of Alabama’s national title run last season, but repeating is the toughest thing in sports — it hasn’t happened in college football since Nebraska in the mid-1990s.

Last season was a perfect storm for Alabama. The Crimson Tide got a pretty luck win at Tennessee and another huge break when Texas quarterback Colt McCoy was injured on the Longhorns’ first drive of last season’s BCS national title game at the Rose Bowl.

Alabama will be a marked team this season, the nonconference schedule is tough — with Penn State coming to Tuscaloosa — and the SEC West is even tougher.

“I think Mississippi State is going to be better,” Saban said. “I think Ole Miss is going to be better. I think Auburn is going to be better. I think everyone on our end of it is going to improve.”

It’s easy to get excited. Last season, the Crimson Tide won it all despite having to replace its starting quarterback and offensive line. Greg McElroy stepped at quarterback and continued his streak — dating to middle school — of never having lost a game as a starter.

McElroy was a steady, calming influence and smart enough to hand the ball off to someone named Mark Ingram, who emerged to become Alabama’s first Heisman Trophy winner.

What’s different about this season?

We’ll argue it’s more important to have more experience on defense than offense. This season the Crimson Tide has to replace one of the stoutest defenses in recent memory.

Gone is linebacker Rolando McClain, nose tackle Terrence Cody and cornerback Javier Arenas. Those are three of the 10 defensive starters lost.

Arenas was a game-charging, kick-return specialist. Oh yeah, Alabama had to replace the kicker and the punter.

“Last year is basically over,” Saban warned. “You know, we’re not really defending a championship. The championship is part of history, and we’re not going to defend anything.”

Saban, of course, has a PhD in sand-bagging his team, but he’s basically right. Every season starts anew, and this one starts with a new defense.

The offense is never going to be fancy. McElroy is the ultimate game manager, passing for 17 touchdowns last season with only four interceptions.

Alabama is going to pound opponents with Ingram and “backup” Trent Richardson. Julio Junes is a physical freak at receiver.

Alabama earned all the preseason love it is getting, but it’s mostly rollover from last season.

This season, the Crimson Tide has to entertain Penn State at home, and make trips to Arkansas, South Carolina and Louisiana State.

Can Alabama run the table again?

Sure.

But come on people, let’s get real … or, as Saban says, realistic.

chris.dufresne@latimes.com