10 Reasons Why Alabama Could Repeat as National Champions

Larry Burton (Panama City Beach, Fla.)—In my last article, "Ten Reasons Alabama May Not Repeat as National Champions" (read it here ), I outlined 10 reasons why Alabama may not repeat as national champions.

It was a devil's advocate article warning both the team and fans of the pitfalls that could happen.

Having said that, here are the 10 reasons that Alabama may, and in my opinion will, repeat as national champions.

Nick Saban

Yes, that's a tired and almost worn reason, but it is for a reason—it works. Saban held the focus of the team on the big prize last year, and many expect him to be able to do it again this year.

It's not just through sheer coaching ability, though he does have that. It's also through motivation and the process that the players have bought into.

It always begins and ends at the top, and let's face it—right now Saban is tops.

Greg McElroy

As a rookie, McElroy faced the toughest SEC defensive coordinators and all the tricks they could throw at a rookie QB to shake him up, and he still walked off the field as a winner.

With that year under his belt and all his weapons returning, this could finally be the year Alabama can unleash his potential as a true passer.

McElroy gives the Crimson Tide the ability to laugh at an opposing defense and say, "Go ahead and put nine in the box and sell out to stop the run. Dare us to beat you throwing the ball."

A much better running attack

Alabama has bigger men on the offensive line now than last year and—with all due respect to Roy Upchurch, who was often injured—a better trio of running backs.

With a trio of Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson, and Eddie Lacy, Alabama can even take an injury and still steamroll teams.

Julio Jones

Jones has really never had the year he was supposed to have, though he has had some games that showed what he's capable of.

With many thinking that Jones may have an eye for the NFL at the end of the year, he may finally put together a whole year of highlight reels. With his injuries behind him for the first time in his career, it is certainly a possibility.

Early tough games

Games against Penn State, Arkansas, and a middle of the season game against Florida will have them ready for the tough end of the season schedule.

It will give them both the confidence and the experience to finish off that tough end of the season run and have them ready for the toughest bowl opponent.

Talent rises to the top

To all the people who point to the losses on defense, they fail to realize that the people that are replacing them came into the system with a much higher talent level.

This talent may struggle early on, but by the third game they should all come together. The Arkansas game will tell just how well everything has finally come together.

Talent, size, and speed are qualities that just work better when they come in greater measure.

Better Pass Rush

Yes, the defensive backfield is new, but the pass rush this year will be so much better that it may greatly help them get their feet under them.

Marcel Darius, Dont'a Hightower, and company finally have a defensive line built on pressure and speed. This year's defensive line will greatly increase the sack count and may cause so much pressure that even INTs will increase as well.

Character

Saban has been pleased with both the offseason and spring workouts of the team. Nobody appears to be sitting on laurels, and everybody is working hard and encouraging one another to work just a little bit harder.

"We saw what the benefits are of hard work, being accountable to yourself and your teammates and living up to expectations can bring to a team," said Ingram. "We are not about to slack up now and let anybody take anything away from us. This team has just as much heart as the last one, and failing is not an option."

A more wide-open offense

Saban has said to anybody that will listen that he intends on seeing the passing game opened up a bit more this year. This is not good news for opposing teams.

McElroy makes few mistakes and has one of the best deep balls in the nation. Saban has as a team goal to increase the number of "explosive" plays on offense.

Though they will have the smash-mouth option always at their disposal, Saban wants teams to respect the lightning too.

Better special teams play

This year Alabama finally has a kicker and punter that can put the ball deep down the field. Yes, Leigh Tiffin's accuracy in field goals may be missed, but his kickoff abilities won't be.

Cade Foster has the ability to have many non-returned kicks this year, and the new punter seems capable of pinning guys deep as well.

With better kicks comes better coverage, which could keep Alabama out of problems that it faced last year.

Yes, Alabama will miss Javier Arenas and his returns, but Alabama has players who can fill much of that gap.