Who Knocks Off No. 1? 10 Teams That Would Beat Alabama If They Played
After winning the National Championship a season ago, the Alabama Crimson Tide are once again off to an excellent start.
A big road win over a Top 10 team in Arkansas last weekend proved the Crimson Tide are still the team to beat not only in the SEC, but in the entire country.
While they have not lost a game in nearly two years, Alabama has had a few close encounters and in the tough SEC, they are certain to have a few more in the coming weeks.
There may be plenty of teams in the SEC who can hang with Alabama and there are a few more across the country who could give them fits.
Here are 10 teams who would knock off Alabama if they played today.
10. Utah Utes
1 of 10
The Utah Utes took Alabama to the woodshed a few seasons ago in the Sugar Bowl, proving they can hang with the big boys.
The Utes are off to a fast start this season, having knocked off the previously ranked Pittsburgh Panthers in overtime and scoring over 55 points in each of their previous two games.
Utah is seventh in the country in points scored and eighth in points allowed.
While they may not be from a power conference, they have proven time and again they can hold their own against big name teams and they just may have what it takes to pull the upset over the Crimson Tide.
9. Wisconsin Badgers
2 of 10
Wisconsin is off to a fast start at 4-0 heading into Big Ten play. The Badgers are one of the top teams in the country and their pound-it-out style could give Alabama trouble.
The Badgers put up 70 points last week against Austin Peay and have a 20 point road win against UNLV under its belt.
Running back John Clay is one of the best in the country and at 6.5 yards per carry, he is a load to bring down.
The Alabama defense is relatively new across the board and the Badger rushing attack could be the difference in this one.
8. Stanford Cardinal
3 of 10
The Stanford Cardinal have improved steadily each year under Jim Harbaugh and are now ranked in the Top 10.
They have looked impressive in the early going, averaging 48 points per game. A big showdown with Oregon looms on Saturday.
Stanford has consistently shown they can hang with the big boys and the prestige of the Crimson Tide would certainly not scare them at all.
Alabama might have a little trouble slowing down this high-powered offense and it could lead to a high scoring shootout, which is right up the Cardinal's alley.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
7. Florida Gators
4 of 10
The Florida Gators will get their shot on Saturday to prove they can take down the Crimson Tide and after last season's debacle, Florida has something to prove.
Florida was trounced last season and a little payback may be in order. The Gators were impressive last week against Kentucky and have improved every week this season.
The speed of Florida's backs and receivers has the potential to exploit the Alabama secondary and put up some huge numbers.
Urban Meyer will no doubt have a few tricks up his sleeve. Alabama better be on their "A" game because the Gators will be ready.
6. TCU Horned Frogs
5 of 10
TCU has played a difficult non-conference schedule and has been rather impressive, beating Oregon St. and Baylor.
The Horned Frogs may not have the defense they had a season ago, but are still one of the top teams in the country.
Senior quarterback Andy Dalton has been down this road before, leading TCU to an undefeated regular season last year.
As battle tested as any quarterback in college football, the poise and experience of Dalton would go a long way toward helping the Horned Frogs pull off the upset of the Crimson Tide.
5. Auburn Tigers
6 of 10
Cameron Newton and the Auburn Tigers are off to a blazing 4-0 start and they know Alabama as well as anybody.
Newton has put up huge numbers in the early going, both with his arm and with his feet.
The Tigers will get their chance to take down the Crimson Tide the final week of the season in what looks to have the potential to be the SEC game of the year.
The dual-threat capabilities of Newton and the rivalry between these two teams are a good combination for an Auburn upset.
4. Oregon Ducks
7 of 10
No team in the country has put points on the board like the 58 per game the Oregon Ducks have been throwing up there.
Oregon possesses a well-balanced attack with running back LaMichael James and quarterback Darron Thomas.
Alabama would not have an answer for the offensive explosion the Ducks bring.
Their speed at the skill positions is unmatched and coach Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide would definitely have a lot of trouble game-planning for these guys.
3. Boise St. Broncos
8 of 10
For perhaps the first time ever, the Boise St. Broncos have a legitimate shot at playing for a National Championship and maybe getting their shot at Alabama.
Quarterback Kellen Moore and the Broncos have been virtually unbeatable over the past few seasons and everyone knows Boise St. will always have a few tricks up its sleeve.
Those tricks were enough to beat Oklahoma a few seasons back and have the potential to give Alabama fits.
The Broncos have proven on the field that they can run with anybody and they have what it takes to bring down the Crimson Tide.
2. Nebraska Cornhuskers
9 of 10
Nebraska has looked impressive in the early going and appears to be the cream of the crop in the Big 12. The defense is not quite where it was last season, but that is expected with the departures from a season ago.
The offense, on the other, hand looks vastly improved, averaging 40 points a game.
Dual-threat quarterback Taylor Martinez has rushed for nearly 500 yards and passed for just over 500 yards.
He would certainly be a handful for the Alabama defense to handle.
And of course that Cornhusker defense is still one of college football's elite.
1. Ohio State Buckeyes
10 of 10
Jim Tressel and the Ohio State University Buckeyes are as talented as anybody in the country.
Junior quarterback Terrell Pryor has grown up immensely over the past few seasons and appears to be one of the front runners for the Heisman trophy.
The Buckeyes are skilled and deep at every position and Pryor is one of the most gifted athletes in the country.
Ohio State is averaging nearly 50 points a game—good for third in the nation.
With four capable running backs and a defense that is as good as anybody in America, Ohio State certainly has the tools to take down Alabama.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
