Alabama, fresh off its second consecutive national championship, is ranked No. 1 in a top 25 that includes nine of the Crimson Tide's opponents this season.
Alabama entered its previous two seasons ranked No. 2.
Alabama coach Sarah Patterson said she didn't rank her team No. 1. Instead, she put the onus on No. 3 Florida.
"I had the same four teams at the top on my ballot," Patterson said in a university statement. "Although I had Florida at No. 1, and I feel they are the most talented team in the country and have been for the last several years."
Alabama will travel to Florida on Feb. 8. It will host No. 2 UCLA in March. The Crimson Tide also faces No. 8 LSU twice along with meets at No. 11 Georgia, No. 12 Arkansas and No. 21 Missouri and against No. 13 Auburn and No. 25 Kentucky.
"Overall, our schedule is probably the toughest in the nation, but one that I feel will give us the experience necessary to be on the floor the last night of the season with a chance to win another championship," Patterson said.
The Crimson Tide opens the 2013 season Jan. 11 at Missouri.