Alabama Football Looking at Five Key Games To Return to No. 1 Ranking

The University of Alabama Football program looks to return to a National Title run. After all, they were six minutes away from playing in the National Title game last year in the S.E.C Championship game.

With a very young inexperienced team last year and a great recruiting class coming in, Alabama looks to build depth at key positions and build on another run at the National Title.

With the loss of Senior QB, Center, left tackle, and a great running back, Alabama has built depth at all positions, with current Junior College transfers and a outstanding recruiting class. Bama fans have five key games to circle on the calendar.

Let's first look at the Sept. 5 game against Virginia Tech.

Both teams should enter the contest with top 10 rankings. This should be a outstanding test for the Tide. Alabama looks to dominate the line of scrimmage again working on the running game to set up the passing game.

Don't be surprised to see some spread-type offense at different times during the game. Alabama has numerous QB options and outstanding receivers to spread the field, if need be. Putting up points and dominating time of possession will be key.

On the defensive side, Alabama has the best linebackers in the country. They all have tremendous speed and power with NFL scouts anxious to land several of them in the first round, when they become available.

Don't look for many teams to be able to run against "Mount Cody and Company." Major key on defense will be pressure from the front line and better man coverage in the secondary on pass plays. Virginia Tech will come in ready to play as they are coached very well on both sides of the ball.

Keys to the game: Can Tech stop the powerful Tide rushing game and of course Julio Jones in the passing game? Can Alabama avoid Tech's special team's mastery? Can Bama stop the run game and avoid giving up big plays on defensive? The answer is yes.

Final Score: Alabama 27 Va. Tech 10

After this big win, Alabama should be very concerned about a up-and-coming Ole Miss team that has a solid offense and defense and could make a run at the SEC West. Bama must get past this game in Oxford, MS. But with a few games under their belt Bama will pull out a nail biter.

Final Score: Alabama 24 Ole Miss 21

The third game to circle is the rival game between Alabama and Tennessee in T-town. This game is bigger than most, as Alabama has dominated Tennessee in the last couple of years. Bama has better talent coming in to this game, but anything can happen in this heated rivalry.

Alabama will be extremely ready for this game at home, and with Tennessee's new Coach stirring up other key teams in the SEC, look for them to struggle this year. No contest in this one, barring turnover's.

Final score: Alabama 23 Tennessee 10

The fourth game to put a BIG circle around is LSU at home against the Tide. LSU will be up for this game as the Saban hatred continues among the Bengal Tigers' faithful.

The LSU team has a tremendous offense and defense.  It will be a smash mouth game once again with the winner heading to the SEC Championship game with a shot at Tebow and the Gators. Look for Bama to pull out another O.T. win against the Tigers.

Final score: Alabama 20 LSU 17

The last game to circle is of course the IRON BOWL against Auburn in Auburn, AL. With Auburn's new coaching staff and with a weakness at QB—sorry Auburn—but the shutout will continue.

Final score Alabama 30 Auburn 0

Bama fans circle these games now and come out and support the TIDE in yet another race for the National Championship. Look for Bama to control time of possession in each of these games, with a fierce running game and outstanding use of receivers and tight ends.

With a defense that you can't run on pressure from the front on defense will be the key. Look for Arenas to set a National record for punt and kickoff returns. Sorry to the new coaches in the SEC, but you are now in football country.

Get ready, as this reporter doesn't believe you know what you have gotten into.

Welcome to the SEC and Alabama Football—twelve National Titles and 23 SEC titles.

Bama looks forward to a rematch against Tebow and the Gators in the SEC Championship game.

David Sutton

Sports Reporter