Alabama Football: Ranking the 2012 Schedule from Easiest to Toughest

With fall camp and the college football regular season right around the corner, the defending national champion Alabama Crimson Tide are preparing to defend their title. Alabama returns a total of 13 starters from a year ago, including seven on the offensive side of the ball.

The talent is without question there to return to the BCS National Championship, but it is the typical SEC schedule that should have many Tide fans worry. If Alabama is to make another run this season, there are several obstacles it will have to overcome and many great teams it will have to get by.

With less than three months until the season kicks off, here is the Crimson Tide's 2012 schedule from the easiest to the most difficult of teams.

12. Vs. Western Carolina

Last year's record: 1-10

Returning starters: N/A

The Catamounts only managed to win one game last season in the Southern Conference. It's fair to say that this game will be a no-contest for Alabama, and you should expect to see a lot of backups in the second half.

11. Vs. FAU

Last year's record: 1-11

Returning starters: 14

Last year's experience against teams such as Florida, Auburn and Michigan State should help the Owls in this matchup. But who are we kidding? Florida Atlantic has not won at least five games since 2008 and had an offense and defense that ranked in the 100s last season.

10. Vs. Western Kentucky

Last year's record: 7-5

Returning starters: 15

Western Kentucky does return nine starters on offense, but that is from an offense that ranked 89th in the country a year ago. The Hilltoppers are one of the better teams in the Sun Belt Conference, but being one of the best teams in arguably the worst conference in college football isn't saying much.

9. Vs. Ole Miss

Last year's record: 2-10

Returning starters: 15

The Ole Miss Rebels return 15 starters, including eight on offense. But this is a team that lost last year's meeting by 45 points, has lost the last eight in a row to Alabama and is going through a coaching change.

When you add up the fact that this game will take place in Tuscaloosa, a place where the Rebels have not won since 1988, things don't look good for Ole Miss.

8. Vs. Mississippi State

Last year's record: 7-6

Returning starters: 12

Mississippi State does have a young solid option at quarterback in Tyler Russell, but it will have to replace a workhorse in running back Vick Ballard. There is more talent on this Bulldogs team than most would expect, but they have lost nine of the last 11 meetings against the Tide.

7. Vs. Auburn

Last year's record: 8-5

Returning starters: 16

Most would assume this matchup would be a little bit higher on the list, but with several difficult teams and many questions surrounding the Auburn Tigers, we have no idea what to expect from this team this season.

Who will play quarterback for Auburn? Can a horrible defense from a year ago turn things around in one season to be competitive against a team like Alabama?

The Crimson Tide have won three of the last four meetings, including a four-touchdown blowout last year.

6. At Tennessee

Last year's record: 5-7

Returning starters: 18

Tennessee has struggled mightily over the years, but this may be the season it is able to turn things around. These players picked up a lot of experience last season and will get a couple players back from injury (wide receiver Justin Hunter and linebacker Herman Lathers).

The Crimson Tide have won the last five games against the Volunteers, but with this game being played in Knoxville, it has the potential to be an upset if Alabama is not careful.

5. At Missouri

Last year's record: 8-5

Returning starters: 11

I'm not sure anybody knows what to think of the Missouri Tigers as they enter their first season in the SEC. I do know Missouri has playmakers on offense in quarterback James Franklin and wide receivers T.J. Moe and Dorial Green-Beckham. I also know this game will take place on Faurot Field, which has to count for something.

Maybe the Crimson Tide will still win, but it shouldn't come as easy as some may expect.  

4. Vs. Texas A&M

Last year's record: 7-6

Returning starters: 15

Much like Missouri, Texas A&M will enter its first season in the SEC, but the Aggies look like more of a complete team entering year one. There are questions at quarterback and a new coaching staff they have to adjust to, but they should have one of the best offensive lines and defensive lines in the country this year.

Traveling to Tuscaloosa is never an easy task, although you have to like some of the things that the Aggies have going on right now.

3. Vs. Michigan (In Arlington, TX)

Last year's record: 11-2

Returning starters: 14

The oddsmakers do not believe that the Michigan Wolverines have a shot, but this is a team that is balanced on both sides of the ball and did win 11 games a year ago. With the game taking place on a neutral site and the first game of the year, you never quite know what you are going to get.

Besides, having a playmaker like Denard Robinson at quarterback always gives you a chance to win any football game.

2. At LSU

Last year's record: 13-1

Returning starters: 12

Not too many teams can win in Baton Rouge, let alone playing at night like Alabama will have to do. The Tigers once again will have the deepest backfield in the country, a loaded defense and likely a more balanced offense with Zach Mettenberger taking over at quarterback.

Alabama has lost four of the last six at Tiger Stadium, and coming off an emotional loss in the BCS National Championship, you can expect a fired-up team and crowd for this huge contest.

1. At Arkansas

Last year's record: 11-2

Returning starters: 13

Alabama destroyed Arkansas last season and have won five games straight against the Razorbacks. But this time the game will take place in Fayetteville, and Arkansas will have a healthy Knile Davis back in the backfield.

The Razorbacks struggled last season against great defenses because they were so one-dimensional. Getting a 1,000-yard rusher back on offense should help fix those issues, making things difficult for opposing defenses.

Along with the Week 1 matchup against Michigan, this is a huge early test for Alabama that may quickly determine the fate of the 2012 season.