Alabama Football Schedule 2012: 5 Games That Will Have Tide on Upset Alert

The SEC announced its 2012 conference schedule on Wednesday morning, and the matchups are sure to have college football fans and experts buzzing with excitement and anticipation.

The Alabama Crimson Tide are 60 minutes of solid football away from entering the 2012 season as defending national champions, which would make them the SEC's most wanted team week in and week out beginning on Sept. 15, when they are scheduled to travel to Fayetteville to take on SEC West rival Arkansas.

The Razorbacks, like so many other SEC foes, would love nothing more than to wreck the Tide's shot at returning to the BCS title game in 2012.

Former Big 12 teams Missouri and Texas A&M are set to join the conference in 2012 and will be looking to make a name for themselves with a signature win over a powerhouse program.

Join Bleacher Report as we take a closer look at the the Crimson Tide's 2012 slate of games, specifically the ones that could produce an unwanted result for Alabama fans. 

Sept. 15: At Arkansas Razorbacks

The Tide rolled all over Arkansas in Tuscaloosa last season, outscoring the Razorbacks, 31-7, over the game's last three quarters to edge its SEC West rival, 38-14.

Revenge will be the only thing on the minds of Razorbacks fans and players in 2012, however, as Arkansas welcomes Alabama into Razorback Stadium, where the Tide struggled in 2010, edging out Arkansas barely, 24-20. 

Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson will likely be back in Fayetteville next season for his senior year, and that's bad news for the Tide's D, considering Wilson and the Razorbacks passing attack ranked inside the top 15 in 2011, posting more than 307 yards through the air on average.

The Razorbacks also boast a powerful scoring offense, which cracked the nation's top 15.

An early road test for the Tide will likely decide the season for Alabama and will have huge SEC West implications.

Oct. 13: At Missouri Tigers

Neither Alabama nor Missouri are familiar with each other, and that could produce a surprising result in mid-October. 

The Tide's third SEC game of the season will be their second on the road, where wins are tough to come by in college football.

Missouri boasted a dominant rushing attack in 2011, rushing for 244 yards per game on average. Sophomore running back Henry Josey and sophomore quarterback James Franklin joined forces this past season to rush for more than 2,100 yards and 24 touchdowns.

Alabama's D will be challenged at Faurot Field without question. Franklin and Josey are only going to get better this summer, and now that the Tigers have an identity, their transition to the SEC from the Big 12 will be that much easier. 

Nov. 3: At LSU Tigers

Regardless of what happens in the BCS National Championship Game this January, Alabama vs. LSU 2012 will be every bit the classic it was in 2011.

Both teams will be the top contenders for the SEC's West Division, and the winner will no doubt have the edge needed to play for the conference championship at season's end.

Although the final score won't look anything like 9-6 this time around, the result could be very similar considering that the Tide will once again be facing a strong team on the road for their fourth time in six SEC games on Nov. 3.

Alabama hasn't beaten LSU since early November 2009 in Tuscaloosa, so it's safe to say that 2012's matchup in Baton Rouge will be a must-win for the sake of the Tide's pride against their rival.

If Alabama tops LSU in the BCS title game on Jan. 9, expect an even more inspired effort from the Tigers in front of their bitter home crowd. 

Nov. 10: Vs Texas A&M Aggies

Texas A&M will join the Missouri Tigers in the SEC in 2012, but the Aggies will be headed to the death division, better known as the SEC West.

Texas A&M will provide the first real conference test for Alabama at home late in the regular season, given that the Tide should easily handle Ole Miss and Mississippi State in Tuscaloosa early on.

The Aggies lose seniors Ryan Tannehill and Cyrus Gray, who defined Texas A&M's offense in 2011, which was among the top 20 in the country by yardage.

The Aggies suspect defense will be key in this matchup, however, as slowing the Tide down offensively at home can be tough for any team not named LSU.

Texas A&M ranked just 76th nationally in scoring defense last season, which won't cut it in the rough and tumble SEC.

Still, the excitement surrounding their move to a new conference will bring in top talent, and that's what wins games in college football.

Nov. 24: Vs Auburn Tigers

Despite the 42-14 beatdown the Tide gave the Tigers in Auburn last November, the memories of 2010 and Cam Newton's comeback at Tuscaloosa remain in the minds of Alabama fans everywhere.

There is no rivalry quite like the Iron Bowl, and that means an upset is always brewing when Auburn and Alabama get together.

Anything can happen. No lead is safe. 

The Tigers will be much better in 2012 than they were this past season while trying to defend a national championship crown that was more the result of a determined Newton than an unstoppable powerhouse. 

On Nov. 24, Alabama could potentially be looking forward to an SEC title game appearance, or better yet for Tide fans, a second consecutive BCS National Championship Game berth. 

Auburn will be playing with no pressure on the road, and that only adds to the upset potentially for this matchup. Alabama has won three out of the last four Iron Bowls, so Auburn will be due for a shocker in 2012.