College Football 2011: 5 Bold Predictions for the Alabama Crimson Tide
The Alabama Crimson Tide had a huge 2011 NFL Draft that gave the program even more national spotlight, but the bad news is the boys in crimson will lose their top passer, pass-rusher, receiver and running back.
With a high preseason ranking looming, look for Nick Saban to reload with talent in 2011. This slideshow will give five bold predictions for the upcoming season with new faces and championship expectations.
Phillip Sims Will Start over A.J. McCarron in Time for SEC Play
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The Crimson Tide fan base leapt for joy years ago when a golden boy out of Mobile, Ala. named A.J. McCarron led the St. Paul Saints to a state football championship and committed to the University of Alabama. Some recruiting services even went so far to say he had a slight resemblance to legendary Miami Hurricanes quarterback Ken Dorsey.
But as Greg McElroy departs, it is beginning to look like that starting spot isn't a lock anymore thanks to redshirt freshman Phillip Sims (6'2", 214 pounds).
No, Sims does not possess the touch and mechanics of McCarron, but even after the annual A-Day game, many Crimson Tide enthusiasts were leaning toward Sims because he possesses the ability to mentally guide an offense through a season. Remember, the quarterback position on a Nick Saban team is about poise and consistency more so than flash and numbers.
"We're not enemies at all," McCarron said of the quarterback battle with Sims. "We love joking around with each other in practice. We know we're making each other better. That's what college football's all about, and that's what our team's all about."
Though offensive coordinator Jim McElwain leans toward the possibility of playing both quarterbacks, look for Sims to lead the Crimson Tide this fall after several nationally-televised spankings on McCarron by Saban.
Duron Carter and Jesse Williams Will Contribute Immediately
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Nick Saban picked up two huge commitments from unlikely places during the offseason to help the 2011 campaign.
Duron Carter (6'5" 210 pounds), son of NFL legend Cris Carter, comes into Tuscaloosa looking to become the main threat for the Tide's offense, due to a lack of size by current wideouts Marquis Maze, Darius Hanks and Brandon Gibson.
"We just met with Coach [Nick] Saban, and he's committed," Cris Carter said after his son's visit to the Capstone in April. "It's a combination of the coaching and the structure and for Duron's maturity. All of those things make it a good match."
One of the biggest factors in a Saban 3-4 defense is the nose tackle position. With senior Josh Chapman playing inconsistently after the departure of Terrence Cody, Saban will now look for Williams, a former Australian National Football player, to step right in and give a spark to the Crimson Tide defensive line.
Seeing Williams in person, the first thing that comes to mind is Terrence Cody Part 2: Crocodile Hunter Style. The guy is massive, but possesses a leaner frame than Cody. It will take Williams a few games to get adjusted to the Crimson Tide defense and the speed of the SEC, but expect for him to deliver big in 2011.
Dre Kirkpatrick Will Finally Play with Consistency
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"Consistency" is a word Nick Saban has used since his arrival on campus in 2007. But in 2010 there were times where you could feel Saban’s frustration as he watched his prized cornerback continue to be assaulted by SEC wide receivers—such as Alshon Jeffery—in hostile environments.
In 2011, Kirkpatrick (6’3", 190 pounds) will once again be one of the bright sparks for the Crimson Tide secondary,—along with Robert Lester, Dequan Menzie and Will Lowery—but his maturity on the field and around campus continues to be an issue for Saban and many fans.
"The last piece of the puzzle appears to be maturity," Bleacher Report's Larry Burton said of Kirkpatrick. "Being a leader means being in control, and now Kirkpatrick is controlling the swagger and emotion, and channeling it when it’s needed for good and not letting it control him and draw flags."
If Kirkpatrick can control his emotions and step into a leadership role for the Alabama defense, expect a more productive fall and also improving his already-top 10 NFL Draft stock.
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Trent Richardson Will Become a Heisman Contender
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After two great seasons playing behind Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram, it is now Trent Richardson’s turn to take the bulk of the carries for the Crimson Tide.
The 5'11", 225-pound running back has the ability to shed defenders and create space in the open field, due to his uncanny strength and balance. But Richardson's 2010 knee injury brings a question into the minds of Tide fans. How will he adjust to now being the feature back for Nick Saban's offense?
If Richardson can stay healthy to avoid the injury letdown and provide productive games in hostile environments such as the Swamp and Happy Valley, look for him to become the front-runner to win the Heisman in 2011.
Alabama Will Play Oklahoma for the National Title
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A collision of two of the nation’s greatest college football programs seems very possible in January.
Analysts have been predicting this title game since the end of the 2010 season. With Bob Stoops and the Sooners returning 28 players who possess starting experience and a trio of explosive running backs at their disposal for quarterback Landry Jones, the Sooners are poised to run through the depleted Big XII and solidify their spot in the BCS National Championship.
Though Alabama looks to return to defensive glory in 2011 with a stingy linebacker corps led by Dont'a Hightower, the Tide must endure a schedule that even the Bear himself would scoff at. Alabama must travel to Penn State, Florida and Auburn, then a pending SEC Championship matchup in Atlanta against the SEC East champion—out of breath yet? We're not done.
Add in home games with LSU and Arkansas—who has a powerful passing attack. The Tide will have a much harder task to reach the national title game, though it can be done if they can avoid injuries and finish in the fourth quarter.
This 2011 Crimson Tide team looks to overpower opponents with explosiveness, speed and poise. Look for the Sooners and the Tide to play for it all in New Orleans.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
