Alabama Football: What to Expect in the Crimson Tide Spring Game

After bringing home national titles in two of the last three seasons, it's safe to say that Alabama is on a bit of a roll these days. The Crimson Tide closes out its spring practice on Saturday with its annual A-Day Game at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

The crystal football currently resides in Tuscaloosa, but that doesn't mean that this year's team is a lock to repeat. As a matter of fact, there are still a lot of questions for this year's Tide team to answer.

Who's Going to Step Up on Defense?

The list of players leaving Alabama in favor of the NFL reads like an All-SEC team. Dre Kirkpatrick, Mark Barron, Courtney Upshaw, DeQuan Menzie, Josh Chapman and Dont'a Hightower headline an Alabama class that will litter the NFL draft later this month. 

That leaves guys like linebackers Nico Johnson and C.J. Mosley, defensive tackle Jesse Williams, safety Robert Lester, cornerback Dee Millner and perhaps junior college transfer cornerback Deion Belue to step up and become leaders on Alabama's defense.

Last year's Tide defense was one of the best defenses in college football history, and while quarterback A.J. McCarron will open things up more this season, the bread and butter of the Crimson Tide will always be its defense.

That's a lot of pressure on players that, while talented, are still relatively inexperienced.

Can Alabama Establish Some Depth at Running Back?

Trent Richardson is gone and presumed starter Eddie Lacy has been out all spring with a turf toe injury.

As a result, the door has opened for some of the younger players to make an impression. Big Jalston Fowler has impressed a lot of people this spring, as has redshirt freshman Dee Hart and early enrollee T.J. Yeldon.

Lacy's absence has allowed some of his presumed backups to get much-needed work with the first team. That experience will be invaluable once the season rolls around.

Who's Going to be a Playmaker at Wide Receiver?

Wide receivers Marquis Maze and Darius Hanks are both gone, as is tight end Brad Smelley. That leaves Kenny Bell, Kevin Norwood and Michael Williams to pick up the slack.

Bell is Alabama's leading returning receiver with 255 yards, and Norwood made a name for himself with some key catches in Alabama's BCS Championship Game win over LSU. DeAndrew White is another deep threat that is vying for playing time, while sophomore Christion Jones has impressed everybody that's seen him so far this spring.

Click here for more information on Alabama's A-Day.

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