By John Goolsby, Prep Sports Editor
TRUSSVILLE — It’s that time of the year again when Tribune Sports takes a look at Massey’s preseason regular-season projections and rankings for Tribuneland teams.
A mathematical computer model produces the Massey Ratings. Years ago, Professor Kenneth Massey of Carson-Newman University created the model to evaluate teams based on results and opponents’ strength.
Massey’s college football ratings were even included in the computer rankings used by the old Bowl Championship Series.
Massey relies on previous seasons to project each program’s strength. As the season advances, preseason assumptions and ratings matter less, and actual game outcomes influence the rankings more strongly.
That’s why the Massey rankings can change a lot during the first few weeks of a season.
With the fine print out of the way, Tribuneland heads into the 2026 football season with two of Alabama’s highest-rated teams, according to Massey.
The Clay-Chalkville Cougars and Hewitt-Trussville Huskies rank fifth and sixth in Alabama and are among the top 115 teams nationally according to Massey’s modeling.
Clay enters the season ranked number 105 nationally. Massey projects the Cougars to finish the regular season 7-3.
Hewitt is right behind Clay at number 115 nationally. The Huskies are also projected to finish 7-3.
Moody owns the best projected record among Tribuneland teams. The Blue Devils are ranked number 22 in Alabama and are projected to turn in a 10-0 regular season.
The Pinson Valley Indians check in at number 44 in the state with a projected 7-3 record.
The Leeds Green Wave are ranked number 68 and projected to finish 6-4.
The Shades Valley Mounties are ranked number 111 in Alabama and projected to finish 8-2.
The Center Point Eagles come in at number 154 with a projected 4-6 finish.
The Springville Tigers are ranked number 194 and projected to finish 3-7.
Some notable opponents for Tribuneland teams are:
Thompson, number 1 in the state, number 15 nationally.
Central-Phenix City, number 2 in the state, 33 nationally.
Auburn, number 3 in Alabama, number 78 nationally.
Complete rankings can be found at masseyratings.com
