Alabama Spring Game: Most Important Things to Watch as Tide Begin Title Defense

All eyes will be on Alabama during the team's upcoming spring game as the Crimson Tide start the journey toward back-to-back national championships. With many key contributors gone from last season's team, head coach Nick Saban has a lot of work to do.

Let's examine the key things to watch during the most hyped scrimmage of the college football season. Saban won't be looking for perfection, but players battling for starting spots can't afford poor performances, adding intrigue to the game.

Running Game Without Eddie Lacy

Trent Richardson continues to prepare for the NFL draft and new starter Eddie Lacy will sit out with a toe injury, which opens the door for other running backs to showcase their skills. Alabama usually relies on two rushers, so the backup battle is crucial.

Dee Hart seemingly has the inside track for now. The elite prospect missed last season with a knee injury, but should be ready to roll. The key for him will be making sure he still has the speed to get to the second level and beyond.

Another name to watch is T.J. Yeldon. The true freshman has all the tools to become the next great Alabama running back and could play a major role right away.

Defensive Backfield

The Crimson Tide's dominant defense led them to last year's title, but they will lose two key cogs in the secondary. Safety Mark Barron and cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick are both headed to the NFL and are expected to be first-round picks.

That leaves two major holes to be filled before the fall. Players like DeMarcus Milliner, Deion Belue and Vinnie Sunseri will need to step up if Alabama's defense will be anywhere near as effective as it was down the stretch last season.

Depth won't be an issue, but finding the two or three guys who will be impact performers on a weekly basis has become the key for Saban and his coaching staff.

Championship Hangover?

Anytime a team comes off the incredible high of winning a national title, the most interesting thing is seeing how they will bounce back. Do they head into spring practice with the same intensity or does a significant drop off occur?

Saban will do everything within his power to ensure the quality of play remains high, but it won't be easy. Some time likely needs to pass before the Crimson Tide get back the level of competitiveness that drove them past LSU a couple months ago.

For that reason, fans shouldn't be overly concerned if the players are a bit sluggish in the spring game. There's plenty of time for corrections between now and the opener.