Alabama Football 2011 Schedule: Game-By-Game Breakdown

In 2011, the Alabama Crimson Tide look to win their second National Championship in three years. A 12-0 or even 11-1 record will likely give them a National Title shot.

Can they do it? Here is a game-by-game breakdown of their 2011 schedule.

9/3 Vs. Kent State

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CHESTNUT HILL, MA - SEPTEMBER 11: Spencer Keith #3 of the Kent State Golden Flashes passes in the first half against the Boston College Eagles on September 11, 2010 at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

This game is nothing more than a warmup for Alabama. Kent State might be competitive in the MAC but they are nowhere near the talent level of the Crimson Tide.

The only question is how lopsided the final score will be.

9/10 @ Penn State

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - SEPTEMBER 11: Brett Brackett #83 of the Penn State Nittany Lions against Robert Lester #37 of the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 11, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Based on name recognition and history, this is a good matchup.

However, the Penn State of today is a relatively mediocre squad. They went 7-6 last year, including 4-4 in Big Ten play. In their meeting last year, Alabama beat Penn State 24-3.

The Nittany Lions are also plagued by an ongoing quarterback competition. Do they stick with walk-on Matt McGloin or turn to initial 2010 starter Robert Bolden?

Penn State may be a better team next season but they won't be able to beat the Tide.

9/17 Vs. North Texas

In 2010, North Texas went 3-9, 3-5 in Sun Belt play.

This one will be a snoozer. It would be surprising if Alabama won by less than 3 scores.

9/24 Vs. Arkansas

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FAYETTEVILLE - SEPTEMBER 25: Ronnie Wingo Jr. #20 of the Arkansas Razorbacks celebrates with teammates D.J. Williams #45 and Chris Gragg #80 after a first half touchdown against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on September

This will be Alabama's first test.

Arkansas is coming off a successful season in which they represented the SEC in the Sugar Bowl.

In last year's head-to-head meeting, Alabama won 24-20 in a nailbiter.

Both teams lose their starting QB from a year ago. This is more likely to affect Arkansas more than Alabama since Ryan Mallett was relied on offense to a greater extent than Greg McElroy was.

Don't underestimate Arkansas, though. They have playmakers like Knile Davis (1322 rushing yards, 13 touchdowns) returning.

10/1 @ Florida

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 02: The offense of the Alabama Crimson Tide against the defense of the Florida Gators at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Alabama will be the first elite team Florida plays in 2011. This game will be a good test for new head coach Will Muschamp.

Florida struggled in 2010. With the exception of LSU, they were blown out of every contest against a ranked opponent.

The defense was vulnerable last season, something that Muschamp should be able to rectify given his past experience in Texas. 

While the Gators might be in for a rebound season, they probably still won't beat 'Bama.

10/8 Vs. Vanderbilt

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LEXINGTON, KY - NOVEMBER 13: Larry Smith #10 of the Vanderbilt Commodores runs with the ball during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Commonwealth Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

This is a game you and I can coach.

The Tide will roll.

10/15 @ Ole Miss

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 16: Michael Williams #89 of the Alabama Crimson Tide against Marcus Temple #4 of the Ole Miss Rebels at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Ole Miss will be tougher than Vanderbilt, but only barely.

With a 1-7 conference record in 2010, the Rebels weren't very competitive. Admittedly, they did play five ranked conference opponents.

Alabama beat Ole Miss 23-10 last season.

Unless Ole Miss has a rebound season of epic proportions, Alabama will win this game.

10/22 Vs. Tennessee

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KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 23: Marquis Maze #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs with the ball during the SEC game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

In his first season at the helm, Derek Dooley went 6-7. Despite the mediocre season, there is a silver lining; they won their final four regular season games and might be able to continue that success into 2011.

Last season, Alabama whipped Tennessee 41-10.

Ultimately, Tennessee probably won't have improved enough to seriously compete with Alabama.

This ends the string of relatively easy games for Alabama. The final stretch is brutal.

11/5 Vs. LSU

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BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 06: Drake Nevis #92 of the Louisiana State University Tigers in action during the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Tiger Stadium on November 6, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

The 2010 matchup between these teams was a close one with LSU eeking out a 24-21 victory.

The 2011 version should be similarly close. In preseason polls, Alabama and LSU consistently appear in the top five.

Alabama will be looking to avenge the 2010 loss. The crowd at Bryant-Denny Stadium will help.

LSU will not be intimidated, though. Against ranked opponents in 2010, they were an impressive 5-2.

This will be a great game with potential national championship implications.

11/12 @ Mississipi State

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 01: Quarterback Chris Relf #36 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs rushes against the Michigan Wolverines during the Gator Bowl at EverBank Field on January 1, 2011 in Jacksonville, Florida (Photo by Rick Dole/Getty Images)

Dan Mullen has done wonders during his time at Mississipi State. The 9-4 record he led the Bulldogs to was a far cry from the 4-8 team he inherited.

Last season, Mississippi State beat the teams it was supposed to beat. However, they struggled against elite teams, going 1-4 against ranked opponents.

Alabama victimized the Bulldogs, winning 30-10.

In his third season, the next step for Mullen is showing he can beat the big boys. The game against Alabama gives him an opportunity to do just that.

11/19 Vs. Georgia Southern

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ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 01: Alabama Crimson Tide Head Coach Nick Saban stands on the sideline during the Capitol One Bowl against the Michigan State Spartans at the Florida Citrus Bowl on January 1, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty I

Georgia Southern may be a good team in the FCS but they will have a hard time with Alabama; not only is D I-A competition tougher, they will be facing one of its best teams.

This one could get ugly quickly.

11/26 @ Auburn

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 26: Head coach Gene Chizik of the Auburn Tigers leads his team onto the field to face the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Alabama jumped out to a 24-0 lead against Auburn last year before succumbing 27-28.

Auburn went on to win the National Championship.

The Crimson Tide gave this game away and they know it. Given the rivalry, you can bet they will come out particularly strong.

The loss of Cam Newton to the NFL Draft will help Alabama's cause.

Despite this, Auburn brings back much of their championship squad and will remain dangerous with Gene Chizik and Gus Malzahn calling the plays.