Alabama Football: Key Games in 2009

Alabama will be a preseason top five team. The Tide will return several key skill players, but will begin 2009 with a new QB. 

Julio Jones and Mark Ingram should take the pressure off, but with a young QB and O-line the offense is going have some growing pains.

The defense will be among the SEC's and nation's best and will have to carry the team until the offense gels.

With Mount Cody up front, a great trio of linebackers, and a solid secondary, the Tide D will need to make big plays to set the young offense up in good situations to build confidence early in the season.

The special teams will again be a strength for Alabama. Javier Arenas should be handling the kickoffs/punt returns again as he was one of the premier punt returners in 08. 

Leigh Tiffin was solid as the kicker last season but was only four out of 10 beyond 40 yards.

Four games the Tide will be tested

No. 1 Virginia Tech in the Georgia Dome 

Va Tech is fundamentally sound and play excellent special teams. Head Coach Frank Beamer is a conservative coach who is content to let his special teams and defense win games for him. Tyrod Taylor is still a question mark at QB, but still an exciting player to watch. 

My prediction:  Alabama 20 - 13.

No. 2 Ole Miss in Oxford, MS. 

Ole Miss was the surprise team in the SEC last season winning their last five games, including a Cotton Bowl victory over highly tauted Texas Tech. 

Head Coach Houston Nutt is as innovative as they come, sometimes this has led to unforced turnovers by his offense. Jevan Snead is one of the top QBs in the country and Greg Hardy is possibly the best DE in the nation. 

My prediction:  Ole Miss 23-21

No. 3  LSU in Tuscaloosa, AL

LSU was disappointing in 2008, but still finished with nine wins. Head Coach Les Miles is one the the top recruiters in the country, and LSU will be talented again. 

The QB will be upgraded whether its Lee or Jefferson. The defense is not likely to get lit up like they did against UF and UGA. 

My prediction:  Alabama 17-14.

No. 4  Auburn in Auburn, AL

New Head Coach Gene Chizik is going to have to pull out all the stops to beat the more talented Tide, but this is a rivalry game and upsets happen more frequently in rivalry games and the Tigers will have their crowd behind them. 

My prediction:  Alabama 28-13

When its all said and done, I have the Crimson Tide finishing 12-2 with a loss in the SECCG to Florida and a win in the Cotton Bowl over a Big 12 team. 

I don't think Bama will get an at large BCS game next season. I think the BCS will award the bid to Ole Miss instead. The Tide should finish ranked in the top five in the nation.