Stanford No. 7 in USA Today’s preseason coaches’ poll

Stanford is No. 7 in USA Today’s preseason coaches’ poll, its highest preseason ranking since 2013, when the Cardinal opened fourth.

Defending national champion Alabama is No. 1 in the preseason coaches’ poll, and the team the Crimson Tide defeated in the College Football Playoff title game, Clemson, is No. 2.

The Cardinal are the reigning Pac-12 champions and were third in USA Today’s season-ending poll of 2015 after defeating No. 6 Iowa in the Rose Bowl.

Head coach Kyle Whittingham says Butler-Byrd is dealing with personal issues but did not offer further details.

Butler-Byrd, who transferred to Utah from Los Angeles Harbor College last year, remains on scholarship but will not participate in team activities while he’s suspended. ...