Alabama Football: Game-by-Game Breakdown of 2012 Schedule

And just like that it's time to focus on next season already.

The Alabama Crimson Tide has just won the BCS National Championship, but I guarantee Nick Saban and company are looking toward next year already. That's how you stay on top of the game and become one of the elite programs like the Crimson Tide are.

Alabama is only returning 11 starters on both sides of the ball, including only four on defense, but don't think for a second it's going to give up the title easily. This is a well-coached team that is still loaded with talent regardless of who went on to the NFL.

Last year's football season may have just ended, but it's never too early to make predictions. Here are predictions for the Crimson Tide's schedule next year.

vs. Michigan (at Cowboys Stadium), Sept. 1

What a way for the regular season to kick off, huh? This is going to be a fantastic game and the winner will really have to earn this victory.

Overall, I just don't see the Crimson Tide losing as they are a much more complete team. Alabama is missing several key pieces on the defensive side of the ball from last year, but has the talent to replace that. I just don't trust Denard Robinson against a talented group of players such as Alabama and think A.J. McCarron has grown enough to make enough plays to pull out a win.

Should be a close game, but I have to go with Nick Saban and company.

Alabama wins: 24-17

vs. Western Kentucky, Sept. 8

There should be a law that if an SEC team loses to a Sun Belt team, it is banned from the conference for a year. May be harsh, but that's just the talent difference between these two teams.

With no explanation needed, Alabama wins this game easily.

Alabama wins: 46-3

at Arkansas, Sept. 15

What a way to start this season for Alabama. Take on Michigan in Week 1 and then have a road game against Arkansas. And this prediction may not make many Crimson Tide fans happy, but I think the Razorbacks will pull this one off.

Arkansas had one of the top offenses in the country last season, and that was with really no running game as it only averaged 137 yards on the ground. Now you add Knile Davis, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards in 2010, and this offense should be unstoppable. Add to the fact that Alabama is losing seven starters on defense, and this is a game the Crimson Tide should fear.

Arkansas wins: 34-28

vs. Florida Atlantic, Sept. 22

Another Sun Belt team?

The Owls went 1-11 last season and don't have one player on their team that could play for Alabama. Do I really have to say whom I'm picking in this game?

Alabama wins: 54-7

vs. Ole Miss, Sept. 29

Home game for Alabama against a team it's beaten 28 of the last 30 times they've met. To be fair, the Rebels have a solid recruiting class coming in and could turn things around in a year or two. But you don't go from being horrible on both sides of the ball to beating Alabama in one year. Baby steps for Ole Miss.

Alabama wins: 34-14

at Missouri, Oct. 13

This is a must-watch game just to see exactly how wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham performs against an elite defense like Alabama.

With that said, I don't think the Tigers have enough pieces in place to beat the elite teams in the SEC yet. This is a team that's only returning 11 starters and it will be a year or two before the Tigers are on the same level as Alabama. Should be a good game regardless.

Alabama wins: 28-17

at Tennessee, Oct. 20

When these two teams met up last season, the Crimson Tide destroyed Tennessee by a score of 37-6.

Do not expect the same result. This is a talented Tennessee team that is just extremely young, and returning a combined 18 starters on both sides of the ball will really help this team next season. I don't think the Volunteers will win but really wouldn't be surprised if they did. This is a trap game where Alabama must show up, especially with the game being played in Knoxville.

Alabama wins: 24-21

vs. Mississippi State, Oct. 27

Alabama has won the last four meetings against the Bulldogs, and it'll make it five. I'm not so sure how Mississippi State is going to keep up with the Crimson Tide on the offensive side of the ball as it's losing its starting quarterback and workhorse running back Vick Ballard. The Bulldogs defense was solid last year, but I'm going with the home team in this game.

Alabama wins: 34-17

at LSU, Nov. 3

The rematch that many people will be waiting to see and hopefully it's better than the previous two matchups that took place last season.

Both teams have lost several key players on both sides of the ball, but I think LSU losing both of its starting quarterbacks will be the key to this game. A.J. McCarron really showed he is growing before our eyes and is beginning to make more and more players. The question at the quarterback position is the main reason I'm going with Alabama.

Of course, this could change by the time November arrives.

Alabama wins: 24-17

vs. Texas A&M, Nov. 10

It's going to be interesting to see exactly how the Aggies handle the switch to the SEC. Sure, they have all of the talent to be instantly competitive, but a new head coach and difficult schedule may take some time to adjust.

The Aggies are returning 15 starters and have the players in place to beat Alabama. I just need to see how Texas A&M plays against other competition before this game takes place. Until then, I'm once again going with the Crimson Tide at home.

Alabama wins: 32-27

vs. Western Carolina, Nov. 17

Do we really need to make a prediction for this game? Alabama could play its backups in this contest and still win. The only way I see the Crimson Tide losing is if they get caught looking ahead to the rivalry against Auburn, and it would even take more than that for them to lose.

Alabama wins: 52-6

vs. Auburn, Nov. 24

Expect Auburn to be a much better team next year, as it's returning majority of its young team on both sides of the ball. The Tigers also have a fantastic recruiting class coming in and many of those players could end up making an impact in this game.

Overall, I have to see the Tigers perform better on defense before I give them more of a serious shot in this game. They gave up nearly 400 yards in last year's meeting and their scoring defense was ranked 79th in the country. We know Alabama is going to get its fair share of stops, but the question is, can Auburn do the same?

Alabama wins: 27-14

Randy Chambers is a B/R featured columnist that covers college football and the NFL. You can contact him @Randy_Chambers or [e-mail].