re: Will Alabama finish the regular season ranked in the Top 3?

Fact #1 - The last three times saban returned five or fewer defensive starters bama's points allowed per game and total defense both went up.

Fact #2 - That was in '14, '12 and '10.

Both of these facts ring true for '16. Five defensive starters returning and even numbered year.

So, you can expect the tide's defensive numbers to go up this season in those two categories.