Tier 1
1. Alabama
So here are my rules for the teams in each tier. If I have no doubt that you're a top-tier team, you're in Tier 1. If I think you could be a top-tier team, but I'm not completely sure, you go in the tier below.
For the six teams below, I would not at all be surprised if they ended up playing at a top-10 level, but I don't know for sure that they will.
I know Alabama will. That's why the Crimson Tide are in Tier 1 by themselves. That doesn't mean I think they are miles ahead of everybody else in the conference; it just means that I trust them more than the others. And why shouldn't I?
I like the way he thinks!