| BSB/SB Alabama softball lands just outside top 10 in preseason ESPN rankings - Roll Tide Wire

[Bama News]

Alabama softball lands just outside top 10 in preseason ESPN rankings

Here’s where Patrick Murphy’s 2025 team ranks in ESPN/USA Softball’s preseason Top 25.

rolltidewire.usatoday.com

The Alabama Crimson Tide softball team is preparing for its 2025 season opener in Tucson, Ariz., at the annual Candrea Classic.

Alabama is scheduled to open the season against the Washington Huskies on Feb. 7. They’re also scheduled to face the Michigan State Spartans, Western Michigan Broncos and host Arizona Wildcats at the tournament.

With less than two weeks until the season begins, ESPN and USA Softball recently unveiled their preseason Top 25 rankings. Patrick Murphy’s Crimson Tide were ranked No. 11, one spot behind No. 10 Texas Tech and one spot ahead of No. 12 Florida State.

Alabama was also ranked No. 11 in Softball America’s preseason Top 25 poll, released earlier this month on Jan. 13.

In ESPN’s poll, the Texas Longhorns were ranked preseason No. 1, followed by the Florida Gators at No. 2. The four-time reigning national champion Oklahoma Sooners were ranked No. 3, followed by No. 4 Oklahoma State and No. 5 Tennessee to round out the top five.

A total of 11 SEC teams were ranked in ESPN’s preseason poll, including six in the top 10. Texas A&M was No. 7, followed by LSU at No. 9. With Alabama at No. 11, Arkansas (No. 13), Georgia (No. 14), Missouri (No. 15), and Mississippi State (No. 25) were also ranked in the top 25.

Alabama finished 39-20 overall in 2024, a season that included the program’s 15th trip to the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City. The Crimson Tide swept their on-site regional at Rhoads Stadium before rallying past No. 3 Tennessee in the Knoxville Super Regional. Alabama was eliminated by Florida in the WCWS.

The Crimson Tide ended the 2024 season ranked No. 8 in the final USA TODAY Sports/NFCA Coaches Poll.

First pitch for Alabama’s season opener against Washington is listed as 10:30 a.m. CT from Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium.

 

[alabama mike]

It’s. It where you start the season but where you finish up that makes all the differing the world. Winning games will take care of the polls.

 

[TerryP]

For you softball folks:

We've talked about the impact of OU and TX joining the conference (IF you weren't aware, SA has UF ranked above both.) I think one of the biggest storylines this season is going to be in the B1G. It's one I'll watch: the "powder blue."

Michigan is their traditional power. And now, a true "blue blood" of collegiate softball joins the fray: UCLA. (UA plays UCLA in an exhibition tournament in Feb. I believe the Bruins have six SEC teams on their schedule this season.) They have a three game series against UM in April (following UW and UO.)

This conference jumping thing we've watched ... to me, it looks like the B1G has supplanted the Big 12. Who do they have to offer? 'Zona, and Okie State occasionally?