2009 Alabama Crimson Tide College Football Predictions

2009 Alabama Crimson Tide Predictions
2008 Record: (12-2, 8-0)
Coach: Nick Saban, 3rd year (19-8 at Alabama, 110-50-1 overall)
Off. Coordinator: Jim McElwain (1st year)
Def. Coordinator: Kirby Smart (2nd year)
Returning Starters: 15 (4 offense, 9 defense, kicker, punter)
Ret. Starting Quarterback: No

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Offense: It took Nick Saban two seasons to get the Crimson Tide back into the national picture. They may take a step back this season with just four starters returning from an efficient offense that averaged 30.1ppg and 355.8 yards per game (63rd in the nation). Junior Greg McElroy (6-2, 220) will take over for long-time starter John Parker Wilson. He lacks great arm strength, but has good touch and knows how to manage a game. He’ll have an outstanding receiver back in sophomore Julio Jones (6-4, 210), who caught 58 balls for 924 yards and four TD as a freshman. They do need to find a starting-caliber running back. Sophomore Mark Ingram (5-10, 215) appears to be the guy unless incoming freshman Trent Richardson can step up. He set a freshman record with 12 rushing touchdowns and also added 728 yards in 2007. Up front, they return just two starters. They lose All-American LT Andre Smith and will look to juco transfer James Carpenter (6-5, 305) or freshman D.J. Fluker (6-5, 340) to take over.

Defense: The defense returns nine starters from a unit that allowed just 14.3ppg (7th in the nation) and 263.5 yards per game (3rd in the nation). They have a big front three, led by mammoth senior NT Terrence Cody (6-5, 365). Sophomore Dont’a Hightower (6-4, 250) is an inside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme and can play end as a pass rusher in passing situations. In the secondary, they return three of four starters including senior Javier Arenas (5-9, 198), who also led the SEC with 650 yards in punt returns (3 TDs).

Outlook: The Tide will face Virginia Tech in Atlanta to start the season. It doesn’t get much tougher than that. It gets easier their next two games when they host Florida International and North Texas at home. They also host Chatanooga at home late in the season. Home games against South Carolina, Tennessee and Arkansas are winnable. The key games will be a home contest against LSU on Nov. 7 and a road game at Ole Miss. This is a good team that you can never doubt because of Saban and that defense.

This SEC conference prediction is courtesy of the ATS Sports Blog. If you are looking for winning college football betting picks be sure to choose ATS Consultants this year, A featured sports handicapping service on Touthouse.com