Roll Tide Roll... Into Patrick Lacey's Preseason Top 25

#25. Alabama Crimson Tide

    With the return of Nick Saban for his second season as the head coach at Alabama, you have to like this team's chances of competing in the SEC, no matter what kind of team he has. And when you consider the talent on this 'Bama squad, coming off of a bowl win against Colorado and only their second winning season in five years, the case is made for the Tide to be in the top 25.

    Unfortunately for Alabama fans, the Tide still play in the SEC, which is by far the toughest conference in all of college football, and they will get their fair share of losses to teams such as Clemson, LSU, Georgia, Tennessee, and Auburn. However, I do not expect them to lose all of those games.

    Strengths

• Nick Saban is one of the best coaches in college football, and has had great success in the SEC before while he was at LSU.
• John Parker Wilson is the best quarterback in the SEC West
• Eight returning starters on offense is tied for the most in the SEC, including RB Terry Grant
• The Tide also have one of the best offensive lines in the SEC, which should make the run game even stronger this season

    Weaknesses

• The loss of D.J. Hall, the SEC's second leading receiver last season could cause some depth problems at WR
  
• Only six returning starters on defense with most of them being in the secondary
• Not much experience at the WR and LB positions
• The schedule is brutal... With games against Clemson, LSU, Georgia, Tennessee, and Auburn, Alabama can not be expected to lose less than three games

    Schedule

• Aug 30 at Clemson
• Sep 6 vs. Tulane
• Sep 13 vs. Western Kentucky
• Sep 20 at Arkansas
• Sep 27 at Georgia
• Oct 4 vs. Kentucky
• Oct 18 vs. Mississippi
• Oct 25 at Tennessee
• Nov 1 vs. Arkansas State
• Nov 8 at LSU
• Nov 15 vs. Mississippi State
• Nov 29 vs. Auburn 
  

    Bold=Conference game

    I don't see Alabama winning the SEC West this season, but I think they can finish the season with only three conference losses and only four or five overall, and in the SEC, a four or five loss team will be in my top 25 any season.