Alabama Football: Forecasting Tide's Offensive & Defensive Stat Leaders for 2012

There are 45 days and counting until the A-Day Spring Game for the Alabama Crimson Tide, and fans are eager to see their team defend the national championship. The Tide will lose some valuable pieces on the both sides of the ball, but fans should expect another strong squad.

Here is a forecast of the Tide's stat leaders for the upcoming season:

Offensive

Passing: A.J. McCarron 

McCarron took a firm hold of the QB spot last year and will likely remain the starter until he graduates. He began the season sharing time with Phillip Sims, but after severely outplaying him, McCarron led the team to the title.

He did that as a sophomore. As a junior, without Trent Richardson, McCarronn will be looked to for more leadership.

This is still Alabama, so don't expect Case Keenum-type numbers, but McCarron should go over the 3,000 yard mark this season. He had 2,634 yards last season.

Rushing: Ed Lacy

Without Richardson, believe it or not, the Tide will be fine here. Ed Lacy would have been an All-American for just about any other team in the nation. He averaged a sick seven yards per carry on 95 attempts in 2011.

With Lacy carrying a load similar to Richardson, expect him to look like Richardson did succeeding Mark Ingram.

Lacy will be a dark-horse Heisman candidate this year, and a favorite if he stays for the 2013 season.

Count on at least 1,300 yards rushing for Lacy.

Receiving: Kevin Norwood

This is where the Tide is a bit thin. Kenny Bell had the most receptions of any receiver that is returning to Tuscaloosa with 17. Alabama's leading receiver from last year, Marquis Maze, only had 56 receptions, so they don't throw it a ton.

Of those passes, I like Kevin Norwood to step up as the team's go-to receiver. Norwood is 6'2" 200 pounds and has the ability to stretch the field, giving the Tide a deep threat off of the play-action.

There won't be any stars in this group, but Norwood will be the best of the bunch with 40-45 receptions for 500 yards.

Defense

Tackles: Nico Johnson  

Johnson will lead a very young Tide linebacking core in tackles. He had 46 tackles in 13 games last year, and he's set up to have a huge season. 

Johnson has the potential to be a high draft pick in 2012, or in 2013, whenever he declares for the NFL Draft..

Sacks: C.J. Mosley

Mosley will be a junior and see more time as a pass rusher in 2012. Last season he had two sacks in 11 games, but he will likely assume Courtney Upshaw's responsibilities this season.

He uses speed to beat blockers en route to the QB, so he is capable of big performances. I'm not sure he'll be as consistent as Upshaw was, but he's the Tide's best returning pass-rusher.

Mosley could stand to add some weight to his frame, as it would make him the type of balanced edge player Upshaw was.

Interceptions: Dee Milner

This is the only major category where the Tide are returning their leader from 2011. Milner picked off three passes last year, and he should actually have more this season.

Why?

Alabama's defense will not be as good up front this year. QBs will have more time to throw the ball, thus there will be more opportunities at interceptions.

It's a counter-productive way to have a stat increase, but it will allow for the Tide secondary to show their cover skills.

This will be a season of transition for Alabama; they will face strong challenges from South Carolina, Georgia and LSU for SEC supremacy. We will see if this young team has what it takes to defend win the conference, and or repeat as national champions