Silver Fox Twin Roy Reacts to Alabama’s No. 13 Preseason Ranking: Just the Motivation the Tide Needs

Written by Silver Fox Twin Roy Williams

“Go ahead and underestimate the Tide. I think Alabama needed this.”

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — For the first time in 18 years, the Alabama Crimson Tide will enter a football season ranked outside the Top 10 of the Associated Press preseason poll.

And Silver Fox Twin Roy Williams is perfectly fine with that.

In fact, he thinks it could be exactly what Alabama needs.

The AP released its 2026 preseason Top 25 on Monday, ranking Alabama No. 13 — the Tide's lowest preseason ranking since 2008, when Nick Saban's Alabama team opened at No. 24. The No. 13 ranking also ends Alabama's run of 17 consecutive preseason Top 10 appearances.

While some Alabama fans may see the ranking as disrespectful, Roy sees an opportunity.

“Just the motivation the Tide needs,” said Roy, one-half of the Silver Fox Williams Twins. “I'm not disappointed at all. I'm hoping that disrespect card motivates these players. Sometimes it's better to fly under the radar and prove folks wrong.”

And Roy already has a message for the teams ranked ahead of his Crimson Tide.

“Go ahead, Georgia. Go ahead, Texas A&M. Think you can ride into Bryant-Denny Stadium and beat Bama on the road?”

Georgia is ranked No. 3 nationally, while Texas A&M is No. 8. Both will travel to Tuscaloosa during the 2026 season, with Georgia visiting Alabama on Oct. 10 and Texas A&M coming to Bryant-Denny Stadium on Oct. 24.

“That's what I want,” Roy said. “Come into Tuscaloosa thinking Alabama isn't what Alabama used to be. Come in confident. Come in believing the Tide is vulnerable. Let's see what happens when you get between those lines.”

Roy has another message for LSU.

The Tigers are ranked No. 11 in the preseason AP poll and will host Alabama on Nov. 7 in Baton Rouge in the first season of former Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin's tenure at LSU.

“And LSU, go ahead and get overconfident thinking you can beat the Tide,” Roy said. “But don't forget — Alabama has been reigning supreme in Death Valley in recent years. You better be ready.”

The 2026 preseason poll is led by No. 1 Ohio State, followed by No. 2 Oregon, No. 3 Georgia, No. 4 Notre Dame and No. 5 Texas. Defending national champion Indiana enters the season at No. 6, while Miami is No. 7, Texas A&M No. 8, Ole Miss No. 9 and Oklahoma No. 10.

The SEC leads all conferences with nine teams in the Top 25, followed by the Big Ten with eight.

But for Roy, the number that matters most isn't 13.

It's what Alabama does with it.

“I'm not worried about where the sportswriters ranked Alabama in August,” he said. “The ranking doesn't win football games. The players do.”

And history gives Alabama fans reason to remember what happened the last time the Tide started this low.

In 2008, Alabama opened at No. 24. That team went on to open the season with a 34-10 victory over No. 9 Clemson and eventually reached the SEC Championship Game.

Roy isn't predicting that history will repeat itself.

He's simply enjoying the opportunity for Alabama to make the pollsters rethink their prediction.

“Sometimes you need somebody to tell you that you aren't good enough,” Roy said. “It gives you something to prove.”

“So, to all those teams ranked ahead of Alabama: Congratulations. Enjoy your preseason ranking.”

“Now come play us.”

Roll Tide!”