Alabama Football: Despite Roster Questions, It's Playoff or Bust

By now, you're probably well-versed on "Alabama problems."

You know, the tough task that head coach Nick Saban faces virtually every offseason of replacing departed 5-star studs with other 5-star studs, some of whom have spent the majority of their respective Crimson Tide careers acting as tackling dummies in practice and helmet holders during games.

Oh, the life of the best coach in college football.

This year, those roster holes are almost exclusively centered on the offensive side of the ball, where Saban and offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin have to replace nine starters from last year's SEC championship squad that earned a berth in the inaugural College Football Playoff. 

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Those nine starters, including Heisman Trophy finalist wide receiver Amari Cooper and veteran quarterback Blake Sims, were integral pieces of Saban and Kiffin's championship puzzle. 

On top of that, the secondary has been a massive problem in Tuscaloosa for the better part of two seasons. Last year, the Tide gave up 133 passing plays of 10 yards or more—the worst mark in the SEC.

But who are we kidding? This is Alabama, and of course it's "playoff or bust" for this year's Crimson Tide.

As BamaOnline of 247Sports pointed out earlier this month, there's plenty to be excited about regarding this Alabama team.

Kiffin proved in 2014 that he is not only the right man to lead the Tide offense but that he can also bring along an inexperienced quarterback as the season progresses. Not only can he succeed, but he can also set records. The Crimson Tide posted the best offensive season in program history last year, when it averaged 484.5 yards per game.

Losing Cooper and Sims hurts, but whoever wins the quarterback battle is in good hands with Kiffin, and wide receivers ArDarius Stewart and Robert Foster looked incredibly dangerous as spring came to a close. What's more, Saban hit the graduate transfer market for some experience outside with veteran former Oregon State wide receiver Richard Mullaney—who's eligible immediately.

Besides, it's not like SEC football is going to be new to these fresh faces on offense.

Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Running back Derrick Henry led the Crimson Tide in rushing last year with 990 yards but is still technically a new starter. Fellow running back/hybrid weapon Kenyan Drake is a senior who's played a ton of football. O.J. Howard has been more of a myth than reality during his first two seasons in Tuscaloosa because he's struggled as a blocker, but he established himself as one of the most dangerous receiving tight ends in college football a long time ago.

These are good players who not only have raw talent but have also shown it in big games for several years.

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

On the defensive side of the ball, the front seven should be one of the best in college football, the secondary should benefit from the arrival of defensive backs coach Mel Tucker, and the return of established corner Cyrus Jones from an offseason injury that kept him out of spring practice should stabilize the defensive backfield.

Despite all of those roster questions, Alabama is still +700 in Odds Shark's odds on who will win the 2015-2016 national title—second only to Ohio State.

While teams such as Ohio State, Michigan State and TCU aren't as littered with roster questions as Alabama, this is still college football—a sport that is littered with inconsistency created by young men who are still learning the game. That's why we love it, and that's why we live it.

On top of that, the two Big Ten national title contenders have to play each other, TCU has Baylor and several other tough tasks in the Big 12, and the Pac-12 South—led by USC and UCLA—looks as difficult as it has ever been.

Of course it's "playoff or bust" in Tuscaloosa. 

Saban has won 10 or more games for seven straight seasons as the head coach of the Crimson Tide, and he has established a culture of winning at an elite level that's unrivaled in this generation. Because of that, the talent on the roster and the all-star team of assistants Saban has lured to Tuscaloosa, anything short of a return trip to the CFP should be viewed as a disappointment.

Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. All stats are courtesy of cfbstats.com unless otherwise noted, and all recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports' composite rankings.

Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer and college football video analyst for Bleacher Report as well as a host on Bleacher Report Radio on Sirius 93, XM 208.

Follow Barrett on Twitter @BarrettSallee.