Crimson Red Sports

The two-time defending NCAA Champion Alabama gymnastics team is ranked No. 1 in the newly released preseason national coaches' poll. The Crimson Tide was ranked second in the preseason poll the last two years.

The preseason top 25 also includes all nine of Alabama's 2013 opponents, including the remaining three of the top four, with UCLA at No. 2, Florida at No. 3 and Oklahoma at No. 4. The Gators and Bruins, which finished second and third respectively last season in the tightest championship finish in gymnastics history, are separated by a single point in the preseason poll. Utah rounds out the top-5.

"Our home schedule is incredible and will showcase college gymnastics at its best," Patterson said. "We welcome three teams that are in the top 10 to Coleman Coliseum while all five of our home opponents are in the top 25. Overall, our schedule is probably the toughest in the nation, but one that I feel will give us the experience necessary to be on the floor the last night of the season with a chance to win another championship."