Alabama Football: What Is the Best-Case Scenario for Bama in 2011?

There are lots of ways for things to go right for Alabama in 2011. Let's look at some of them and evaluate their chances of happening.

Catching LSU a Little Over Confident

With a favorable schedule this year and relief from all the bye-week woes they had last year, there is no reason the Tide shouldn't be 8-0 by the time they face LSU. Though any SEC team can beat you on any given Saturday, Vanderbilt, Tennessee and Ole Miss shouldn't have a prayer, and Florida and Arkansas are rebuilding.

For the Tide then, the best case scenario would be for them to face an undefeated LSU in Week 9 who has defeated a tough Oregon team, a tough Mississippi State team and a good out of conference foe in West Virginia and catch them just a little on the cocky side.

If Alabama has a close game or two and LSU rolls over their opponents, this could set up this scenario.

Chance of this scenario playing out: 10 percent. LSU knows the Bama game will be a war.

Winning the SEC Championship and Going to the BCS Championship with One Loss

Every year, the media says that if any team could make the BCS Championship Game with one loss, it would be an SEC team.

Everyone with an IQ in triple digits knows that the SEC West favorites are Alabama and LSU with Mississippi State being a dark horse. There is always an upset in the SEC at some point in the season.

So could LSU or Mississippi State both lose two games this season to let a one loss Alabama team make the SEC Championship?

Chance of this scenario playing out: 25 percent for both to lose two games.

Taking the Wind Out of Auburn's Season

Alabama fans not only want to win it all again this year but would love to revel in the fact that Auburn will crash and burn in 2011.

So a best case scenario for Alabama fans would be for Auburn to come into their game with only five wins and Alabama be the team that keeps them from even going to the a bowl akin to the Charmin Toilet Paper Bowl.

Chance of this scenario playing out: 50 percent

Not Just Winning the National Championship, but Another Heisman

Clearly Trent Richardson is Alabama's leading contender at this point for Heisman consideration. It would certainly be icing on the Crimson cake to win it all and take home another Heisman.

With a good supporting cast, Richardson has just as good a chance to do this as Ingram did in 2009.

Chance of this scenario playing out: 35 percent

Winning the National Championship and Keeping the Coaching Staff Intact

With the combination of youth and talent at Alabama right now, there is no reason to believe that the Tide won't be in contention for years to come. The only scenario that could upset Alabama's apple cart right now is for them to win it all and start having their coaches pilfered by other teams.

They've managed to avoid that pitfall for the most part since the 2009 National Championship season, but doing it once again could prove to be tougher with other teams wanting a little of magic on their own team's staff.

Chance of this scenario playing out and Bama keeping their staff intact: 25 percent

Winning the National Championship

Anyone with a pulse knows the Alabama Crimson Tide is a favorite to play for it all in 2011. But can they pull it off when so many other front-runners have failed to do so?

Chances of Alabama winning it all this season: 50 percent