Each season when the bevy of preseason college football magazines hit the racks in the middle of a summer they foretell the coming of fall and the upcoming season.

Fall camp is approximately two weeks away from opening, and the University of Alabama program, fresh off an appearance in the first College Football Playoff, remains a nationally and conference favorite.

Much has changed since then - the exit of one of the country's most efficient quarterbacks, the nation's top wide receiver and the best all-around running back chief among the differences - but the expectations, both internally and externally, haven't.

The Crimson Tide is still a popular pick to win the SEC West, according to the magazines, and most think UA has a chance to claim one of the four playoff spots.

In a composite ranking of four preseason magazines (Phil Steele's College Football Preview, Athlon, Lindy's and Sporting News), Alabama ranks No. 3 overall behind defending national champion Ohio State (a consensus No. 1) and TCU.

Phil Steele thinks UA rides the strength of its defense to win the SEC West.

"The offense will be solid despite just three returning starters, and the defense might be the best in the country," Steele wrote. "Plus they have my No. 2 special teams in the SEC. Look for the defense to get back to being dominant."

Steele ranks Alabama's defensive line and linebackers as tops in the conference and the defensive backs unit as the league's third best group.

On offense, he ranks the running backs third, offensive line fourth and wide receivers seventh. Even without naming a starting quarterback, he ranks the signal callers eighth.

"The Crimson Tide has won two national titles with a first-year starting quarterback (2009 and 2011)," Steele wrote. "Last year they earned the No. 1 seed in the playoffs behind a first-year starter and led Ohio State 21-6 in the second quarter.

"They have just 10 returning starters this year but had just 12 and 11 in their last two title years (2011 and 2012). Alabama is 31-4 versus the SEC, including championship games, the last four years and rates at the favorite again.

The only drawback to Alabama this year, Steele said, is the schedule. Even so, he thinks UA is the team to beat in the SEC.

Lindy's and Athlon also predicts Alabama to win the West. The Sporting News, though, has the Crimson Tide behind in-state foe Auburn.

"Can you lose a 1,700-yard receiver, a 1,000-yard rusher and the SEC's most effective passer and hope to be as productive offensively?" the magazine asked. "There's no question the Tide will be terrific in the trenches, but 'Bama is no automatic choice to win the SEC and earn a CFP spot this time."

The Sporting News also named Alabama as the league's most "overrated" team.

"SEC dominance isn't a foregone conclusion anymore. Neither is Alabama's. The Tide must find a new quarterback, retool the skill positions and repair their defensive reputation."

Tennessee is the most underrated program in the SEC according to the magazine.

Reach Aaron Suttles at aaron@tidesports.com or at 205-722-0229.