Closing last years regular season with four straight loses, three to division foes, before a win in the PetroSun Independence Bowl, the Tide look to finish what was started in year one of the Saban era.  With an off-season that saw two new additions to Nick Saban's staff and the signing of 7 of ESPN's Top 150 prospects, is the Tide poised to make a run at this year's SEC Western Division?

With this being Saban's second season in T-Town, expectations are certainly high, as if they have never been at Alabama, but a candid look might peak short of a division title. 

Highly touted Freshman WR Julio Jones, is a man among boys, in the class of SEC wide-outs. But his youth and fan expectations might be a little much, this year, for him to overcome.  Question marks still remain of the defensive backfield after holding, what seemed on paper, to be an explosive ground attack from, Clemson to 20 combined yards from SR James Davis and JR CJ Spiller. Keeping both Tulane and Western Kentucky, under 100 yards rushing is nice, however they aren't the class of big time college football.

With only eleven seniors on the team this fall, Saban will lean on QB John Parker Wilson and WR Mike McCoy for leadership on offense. The offense seems to be firing on all cylinders after a 550+ yard performance against Western Kentucky, last week. Putting 41 points on the board, for a team that struggled putting teams away last season, is at least a good starting point.

Saban, will again look to experience on the defensive side of the ball with JR CB Javier Arenas. In addition to his duties on defense, Arenas will return kicks on special teams. Even with the question marks in the defensive backfield, you can't argue with allowing 12 total points.  

Only time will tell, if the Tide can overcome the collapse from last season. But moving deeper into the Saban tenure, things look to continue to Roll in Tuscaloosa.