Alabama was ranked No. 11 in the country in the preseason college football coaches poll which was released on Tuesday. If the AP poll has them in a similar spot, that will be the first time the Crimson Tide will enter the season ranked outside the top 10 since 2008. For some perspective, 2008 was Nick Sabans second season in Tuscaloosa and the Tide were coming off a 7-6 season that had culminated with a win in the Independence Bowl. Now, two years after Saban left to spend more time with his family and ESPN, Alabama seems like they might be headed back towards the middle. Saban was asked about the low preseason ranking earlier this week and said that he never liked when Alabama was highly ranked. He also sounded hopeful that they could now sneak up on some teams this season. Paul Finebaum was having none of that on Get Up this morning saying, Stop it. Stop it coach already. I mean, were talking about the University of Alabama here. Not some off-brand school in the middle of nowhere.Finebaum on Alabama excusesMORE: Alabama named college footballs most overrated teamAlabama was number one in the country for at some point, 15 straight years, Finebaum continued. They were the favorite I think in all but one game during a 16-game stretch and Nick Sabans now trying to dumb down the DeBoer expectations and Im not having it. Alabama still has great players. They still have everything that you have to have. And I just dont like that the former coach is trying to soft-pedal his successor. Its like the dad telling the young son its okay if you strike out at the Little League game. Its not okay at Alabama! And thats the problem a lot of people have with Kalen DeBoer. They question whether he has the right DNA and when Daddy Saban comes in and puts his arms around after eight losses in two seasons. Inexplicable losses. It just doesnt play very well in Sweet Home Alabama.While we wait to see how good Alabama actually is this season, its good to know that Finebaum is already in mid-season form. Saban appeared to be sleepwalking through that answer and Finebaum was still able to get up for that segment like he was taking on a bitter rival at homecoming. Just wait until they actually lose a game. Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter