Alabama Spring Game 2015: Date, Start Time, TV Schedule, Live Stream and More

Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide look quite different as they head to their 2015 A-Day Game.

The last time the globe saw the Crimson Tide, Blake Sims was the starting quarterback and the team lost a slugfest against Ohio State in the semifinal game.

This time, Alabama takes to Bryant-Denny Stadium with a new-look backfield, fresh faces on defense and a five-man battle for the starting gig under center with Sims gone.

Suffice it to say, Saturday is quite an important day on the calendar as Saban takes the Crimson Tide into a new chapter.

2015 Alabama Spring Game 

When: Saturday, April 18 at 3 p.m. ET

Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium

TV: SEC Network

Live Stream: SEC Network

Preview

The biggest storyline folks will gravitate to right out of the gates is quarterback. 

Saban himself said it all with a few words, per Bleacher Report's Marc Torrence:

It's true, as Jake Coker, Alec Morris, Cooper Bateman, David Cornwell and Blake Barnett continue to fight for the starting job.

Also, it's important to remember just one year ago, when Sims put in a horrific performance in the spring game and seemed to lose the battle before going on to lead the team to the semifinal game.

Still, Saturday is a way for Alabama to narrow down the field. Coker and Cornwell seem to lead the field, but any assumptions the former has a huge lead need to go out the window. All indications are Coker does not have a major lead, if any. A recent note by Cecil Hurt of Tuscaloosa News said this in a blunt manner:

No matter who steps up, they will have to work with a new-look offense.

Gone is running back T.J. Yeldon. Derrick Henry is still around and figures to be the lead back, but it will be interesting to see if the coaching staff trusts anyone to split the load with him as Yeldon did a season ago.

For his part, Henry is ready to assume the mantle of every-down starter and sounds eager to showcase his budding skills.

"I'm not where I want to be as a player and as a running back," Henry said per ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg, "so every day I come here and approach the game as I would want to get better, be a complete back and be the player I want to be."

Also gone is Heisman Trophy finalist Amari Cooper, who caught 124 passes and 16 scores last year. The next closest, DeAndrew White, had 40 and four, respectively. White is also gone, as is Christion Jones, so offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin has his work cut out for him this weekend when it comes to sorting out the depth chart.

Robert Foster is one name to keep a close eye on, especially after Brad Everett of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette detailed how well the young wideout played in a recent scrimmage, garnering praise from Saban:

Personnel turnover isn't limited to the offensive side of the ball, though.

Perhaps second only in importance behind quarterback is the state of the secondary. Landon Collins is off to the NFL and the unit's lone returning starter, Cyrus Jones, has missed all the spring with an injury.

Young former standout recruits such as Tony Brown and Marlon Humphrey are in contention for starting gigs, even more so after Eddie Jackson made the switch to safety to help shore up depth at the position.

In front of the secondary in the trenches is another focal point to consider. Even if A'Shawn Robinson doesn't suit up, it opens things up for a player like Da'Shawn Hand, who looked promising in spot duty last season and may be even better with a full year of experience.

Again, the spring game won't set a whole lot in stone when it comes to final decisions by Saban and his staff.

Saturday is still a critical step for the program, though, as it continues to put a wealth of quarterback contenders through their paces and figures out things at critical positions.

If all goes according to plan, Saban and Co. will have a better idea about their depth chart and fans will get a serious preview of the program's future fortunes. 

Info courtesy of RollTide.com unless otherwise specified.