Alabama Football: Predicting the Crimson Tide's 2015 Win-Loss Record

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — We have a pretty good idea of where Alabama stands as a team after spring practice—where its strengths and weaknesses are, who will be key players and who could be breakout candidates.

There are still a handful of summer enrollees from the Crimson Tide's 2015 recruiting class to get in the system, some of whom could be contributors, but otherwise, the roster and makeup is all but set in stone.

So let's take a look ahead at Alabama's 2015 schedule and go through some win-loss predictions for the season.

Wisconsin (September 5, Arlington, Texas)

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Alabama once again opens the season with a neutral-site game against a big-name, Power Five opponent. The last time they played a Big 10 team at AT&T Stadium, the Crimson Tide cruised to a 41-14 win over Michigan.

Wisconsin will feature a first-year coach, with Paul Chryst coming over from Pitt. He'll be tasked with replacing Melvin Gordon, a Heisman finalist who holds almost all of the school's rushing records.

The Badgers breaking in three new starters on the offensive line is a bad recipe, too, against Alabama's massive defensive line.

The storyline here for Alabama will undoubtedly be the quarterback position, who plays and who doesn't. Coach Nick Saban has split quarterback reps before but never against a Power Five team like this.

It will be close but never close enough to scare anyone in Crimson and White.

Alabama 37, Wisconsin 17 (Record: 1-0)

Middle Tennessee State (September 12, Tuscaloosa, Alabama)

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The Crimson Tide's first home game also represents their first tune-up game in preparation for SEC play.

You can expect more split quarterback reps in this one, like the ones Blake Sims and Jake Coker shared in their two early nonconference games last year.

Otherwise, it will be a chance to break in some freshmen and inexperienced players in a game that will never really be in doubt.

Alabama wins in a runaway, and the student section is gone by the fourth quarter.

Alabama 41, MTSU 3 (Record: 2-0)

Ole Miss (September 19, Tuscaloosa, Alabama)

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SEC play comes a week earlier this year, with Alabama jumping into league play in Week 3 rather than the standard Week 4.

The name of the game in this one is obviously revenge after the Rebels derailed Alabama's perfect season last year with a huge upset in Oxford.

By now, you can expect Saban to have named a full-time quarterback starter, for better or for worse. It's likely that Coker or David Cornwell starts this one and the rest of the games in 2015, barring an injury.

The Rebels, too, will be breaking in a new starting quarterback. Bo Wallace won't be around to work his magic against the Crimson Tide again.

Ole Miss will still be talented, but emotion and an SEC home-opener crowd in Bryant-Denny Stadium are too much to overcome.

Alabama 35, Ole Miss 10 (Record: 3-0)

Louisiana-Monroe (September 26, Tuscaloosa, Alabama)

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No one will mistake this game for any sort of donnybrook, but there will be a hint of emotion involved for Alabama.

In Saban's first year, the Warhawks came into Bryant-Denny and stunned Alabama 21-14. That game will forever be the biggest upset of Saban's career. ULM is also one of the only schools with an all-time winning record against the Crimson Tide (1-0).

That won't hold up for much longer.

In Alabama's final tune-up game before SEC play kicks into high gear, the Crimson Tide will roll over ULM to build momentum and finally get revenge for an embarrassing upset.

Alabama 49, ULM 0 (Record: 4-0)

Georgia (October 3, Athens, Georgia)

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The first massive test for Alabama comes, like last year, on the road in the first weekend in October.

The Crimson Tide haven't been to Athens since the "Blackout Game" of 2008 that really kick-started Saban and Alabama's dynasty.

Georgia is proving to be a tough out between the hedges, taking out Auburn and Clemson there last year, and South Carolina and LSU the year before.

It figures to be another strong unit for coach Mark Richt, with Nick Chubb, Keith Marshall and Sony Michel all with another year under their belts.

Like last year, Alabama can't maintain its composure on the road and takes its first loss of the season.

Georgia 31, Alabama 24 (Record: 4-1)

Arkansas (October 10, Tuscaloosa, Alabama)

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The Razorbacks are a sexy surprise-team pick this offseason, and for good reason after they finished 2014 with shutout wins against Ole Miss and LSU as well as a drubbing of Texas in their bowl game.

They also played Alabama down to the wire last year, as a blocked extra point and late interception were ultimately the difference in a 14-13 game.

Arkansas' strength will be its run game, and unless it can develop a competent passing game, that one-dimensionality won't be able to be effective against Alabama's front seven.

The Crimson Tide will also be looking to bounce back from their first loss of the year on homecoming day. They do so in a big way.

Alabama 37, Arkansas 10 (Record: 5-1)

Texas A&M (October 17, College Station, Texas)

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If there were a "trap game" on the schedule, this is it. Alabama has to go on the road to face an explosive offense after a physical game with Arkansas and before a big rivalry game.

Alabama's last trip to Kyle Field was one of the most hyped games in recent memory, but after a forgettable 2014 for the Aggies, this year's battle won't be nearly as big.

Still, Texas A&M should be a dangerous team, at least on offense, where Kyle Allen will be much improved and have a scary corps of receivers to throw to. Bringing in John Chavis to coach the defense should help shore up what was a miserable unit last season.

This game won't be the 59-0 blowout we saw last year, but Alabama should be in control for most of the afternoon.

Alabama 42, Texas A&M 24 (Record: 6-1)

Tennessee (October 24, Tuscaloosa, Alabama)

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Alabama's run of dominance under Saban has come during one of the most disastrous stretches for Tennessee. It's hard, though, to not think the tide is turning at least a little bit for the Volunteers under coach Butch Jones.

Josh Dobbs looks like he can develop into a legitimate option at quarterback, while Jones has brought in talent around him on offense, including running back Jalen Hurd.

Tennessee will be a lot of experts' sleeper pick to win the SEC East, too. There won't be much sneaking up on people anymore.

If this game were in Knoxville, it would be easier to pick an upset, but it's hard to see a still-inexperienced Tennessee team coming into Bryant-Denny and knocking off Alabama. The Vols will put up a fight, though.

Alabama 38, Tennessee 24 (Record: 7-1)

LSU (November 7, Tuscaloosa, Alabama)

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The one series that hasn't disappointed in every year under Saban has been the one LSU, in which every game seems to come down to a final play or drive.

This year shouldn't be any different.

LSU should once again be loaded on both sides of the ball, and if the Tigers can figure out their quarterback situation, they have a chance to be very dangerous.

This game will easily be the biggest home game of the year. Bryant-Denny showed out for the last home game against LSU, and Alabama won handily.

It won't be that big of a blowout this season, but Alabama probably won't need a miracle in this year's game.

Alabama 31, LSU 17 (Record: 8-1)

Mississippi State (November 14, Starkville, Mississippi)

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Mississippi State is always a tricky game for Alabama, which typically is coming off a slobberknocker with LSU before turning around to face the Bulldogs, who are angling for an upset.

After a sloppy 20-7 win in Starkville two years ago, players reacted after the game like they had been dealt a loss.

There won't be much room for a letdown this year.

The Bulldogs weren't intimidated by anyone in 2014 and pulled off upsets over LSU and Auburn, the latter being at home. Dak Prescott is back, and there will be a genuine belief that this is the year coach Dan Mullen beats Alabama.

This one should be close, but Alabama pulls away late.

Alabama 35, Mississippi State 24 (Record: 9-1)

Charleston Southern (November 21, Tuscaloosa, Alabama)

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A much-needed break will come on FCS-cupcake weekend in the SEC. Alabama's frosting flavor this year is Charleston Southern.

Players will be rested, backups will see the field and empty seats will dot Bryant-Denny for senior day in Tuscaloosa.

The last home game of the season will be a sloppy snoozer, with Alabama getting to gear up for a massive showdown looming in the season finale.

Alabama 41, Charleston Southern 7 (Record: 10-1)

Auburn (November 28, Auburn, Alabama)

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This game doesn't really need much introduction.

Two years ago, it produced perhaps the greatest ending in sports history. Last year, it was the highest-scoring Iron Bowl ever.

Now that the series shifts back to Auburn, it's hard not to expect this thing to get really weird in 2015, and in a good way.

The shift to Jeremy Johnson at quarterback should be a seamless one for the Tigers, while new coordinator Will Muschamp will have Auburn's defense playing at a high level by this time of year.

The Crimson Tide will face their biggest road test and likely biggest test period going to Jordan-Hare Stadium for what will likely decide the SEC West once again.

This one should be another toss-up, but for the sake of a prediction: Alabama's title dreams end on the Plains once again.

Auburn 41, Alabama 35 (Record: 10-2)