Alabama Football: Comparing the 2012 Tide to the 2010 Team

Alabama will begin its quest to repeat as national champions this fall and try to become the first Crimson Tide team to accomplish the feat since the 1979 edition. 

Two years ago, Nick Saban returned a bevy of stars from the 2009 national championship team that went 14-0 and brought home the school’s first title in 17 years.  

However, the nation’s top team in the preseason polls in 2010 lost to South Carolina early in the season and would falter late in games against rivals LSU and Auburn that left them with a respectable 10-3 record—but a disappointing taste in their mouths that fueled their run to the 2011 national championship. 

The similarities between the 2010 team and the one that Saban will trot out this fall are scarce—with the main link being that each team featured a returning starter at quarterback. 

So why will 2012 be different that the last time Alabama began the year as the reigning national champs? 

Here are five differences between this team and the 2010 team.

5. Schedule

The 2010 team was not dealt any favors by the powers that be in the SEC offices when it came to their schedule. 

Saban outwardly voiced his displeasure at the fact that several conference opponents were able to secure a bye week before their matchup with the Crimson Tide. 

While Alabama made its share of mistakes in their losses, the rigors of the schedule surely had a small part in how its season played out.  

This year, no such extreme circumstances will be in their way.  

Aside from the season opener in Dallas to face a rising Michigan squad and a November road trip to fellow SEC west titan LSU , the schedule seems to be more balanced for Alabama’s chances to make another title run.  

4. Less (Star Power) Is More

The 2010 team featured the return of several stars that powered Alabama’s run to its 13th national championship in school history a year earlier.  

The schools first ever Heisman Trophy winner—running back Mark Ingram—along with quarterback Greg McElroy, wide receiver Julio Jones and defensive lineman Marcell Dareus amongst others all formed the nucleus of the Crimson Tide’s 2010 squad. 

For reasons that are likely beyond logic, that unit was unable to harness the same fire and aggression that fueled their quest the previous season.  

While the 2012 team does return several contributors from last season’s title team, its strength resides on the offensive line—where star players are usually less celebrated regardless of their greatness.  

That fact may not guarantee a better result, but it should ensure that the idea of complacency is a foreign concept to the upcoming team’s mental makeup.  

3. Senior Leadership

Alabama may be losing some of the nation’s top players to the NFL, but it returns a handful of seniors who have experienced not only the highs of winning two national championships—but the lows of failing in 2010.  

With trusted and battle-tested leaders like offensive lineman Barrett Jones and linebacker Nico Johnson amongst others, both sides of the ball will have a calming influence to turn to when anxious moments arrive.  

On a team expected to have several fresh faces emerge as key contributors, players like Jones and Johnson are invaluable to the coaching staff for their ability to help escalate the young players’ development process.  

2. Title Controversy

Alabama fans are still reveling in the glow of their 14th national championship—but the rest of the country may as well be sporting a scowl that would make the Grinch jealous due to the circumstances surrounding Alabama’s inclusion into the BCS National Championship game.  

The Tide’s 2009 title was undisputed, given that they went 14-0 and defeated No. 2 Texas handily in the Rose Bowl—while last season’s title may have been the driving factor behind the proposed change to the rumored four-team playoff model that seems inevitable at this point.  

I’ll save the history lesson and push the facts (and snickering for the rest of the nation) aside for now—but do not think that as much of a master motivator that Saban is, he will not use the venom sent towards Tuscaloosa from their detractors as fuel to prove that last year was not a fluke.  

While this will be a totally different team than last year, they will be out to reinforce the message that Alabama is indeed the best team in the country.  

1. Experience Is the Best Teacher

As much as Alabama wants to show the nation that they were deserving champions last season, the desire to learn from the mistakes of two years ago is equal or greater. 

Considering how Saban has transformed the Crimson Tide program into the juggernaut that has engulfed the SEC and college football, the last thing they would like to do is relinquish the throne they worked so hard to acquire.  

Alabama may not win the national championship this season, but it will be conscious of the same pitfalls—mostly of their own doing—that led to its demise during their last title defense.  

The stain left on their program from two seasons ago remains fresh in the minds of the players and the coaches, which should help them avoid the disappointment of the 2010 squad.  

Besides, can you imagine Nick Saban letting the something negative affect his program twice? LSU learned that lesson the hard way.  

Follow @skirp1