Alabama Crimson Tide Season Preview

Nick Saban is back at it in Tuscaloosa, and Crimson Tide fans expect nothing short of an SEC Championship and BCS National Championship type of season.

As we have learned, whoever wins the SEC seems to win the BCS National Championship with the past five winners (Florida, LSU, Florida, Alabama and Auburn) all proving the theory correct.

The Freak Is Back!

The Tide come into the season as the most talented on paper in many people’s minds.

They are absolutely loaded with defensive stars, have a Heisman candidate in the backfield and have one of the best coaches in the nation. They also have arguably the best offensive line in the nation (Phil Steele).  

The loss of Greg McElory and Mark Ingram are quite significant, and most backfields would be in a heap of trouble.

Luckily, ‘Bama has one of the most explosive players in the country paving the way towards another great season. Running back Trent Richardson is a beast that just runs over defenders who attempt to arm tackle him.

More importantly, Richardson has some unfinished business, as he is primed and ready to break out in his first year as a starting running back in the gauntlet known as the SEC.

Backing Richardson was supposed to be prized recruit Dee Hart (torn ACL, out for the year) as well as Eddie Lacy, who is now the clear-cut backup behind Richardson. Michael Williams is often looked upon as the H-Back as is Brad Smelley who is known as the team’s tight end. 

Still Loaded at WR

At receiver, Marquis Maze is a stud at getting open, and despite not having elite speed he has great hands and route running that makes up for it. 

Darius Hanks will have high expectations since the Tide’s receiving corps will be limited at times with the loss of all-everything Julio Jones. Jones meant so much to this team, both in the running game as a blocker and in the passing game as a deep threat who could break tackles with ease.

One could argue he was the most talented wideout in Alabama history, and his yards after the catch will surely be missed by Saban and offensive coordinator Jim McElwain.

Still, the addition of Buckeye transfer Duron Carter and redshirt freshman DeAndrew White could actually make this an even more talented unit in time.

Who Starts in Time for Penn State and SEC Play?

Last but certainly not least is the battle at quarterback. Everybody recalls Saban screaming at the top of his lungs at AJ McCarron a season ago for throwing a ball up for grabs in the end zone.

However, AJ will be battling it out in the opener against Kent State with Phillip Sims, who was once the prized recruit of recruits.

He is now a third-year sophomore and is expected to see extensive playing time as the better athlete who much more upside. Sims has been the more impressive signal caller according to some ESPN U experts (Tom Luginbell) and has the more physical tools as well.

Sims is an athlete that can run very well with the ball in his hands, whereas McCarron is known more for his decision making and his ability to manage the game.

McCarron may not win the job until the week of the Penn State game, but you all know the theory that having two quarterbacks really means you have zero quarterbacks. Look for Sims to be the guy under center in Happy Valley against Penn State.   

Fabulous Front

Kirby Smart has the majority of his players back from the Capital One Bowl drubbing that they gave a one-loss Michigan State squad.

Marcell Dareus was a top-five pick in the NFL Draft, so you can’t blame him for leaving early. However, the defensive line is still not too shabby.

Josh Chapman is a beast up the middle, and the Tide will wreak havoc on any teams that cannot protect the passer. Don't forget about junior college transfer Jesse Williams, who is an athletic big boy who can become a major factor this season.

Square and Murphy alongside Ed Stinson will have plenty of talent be able to rush the passer. Throw Smart and Saban’s blitz packages with All-American safeties and linebackers, and this line will look filthy-good. 

Best LB's in Nation Hands Down?

The linebacker corps is the best in the nation, and it isn't even that close if everybody remains healthy.

Hightower is one of the nation's top five linebackers and is a big hitter up the middle. He is joined by CJ Mosley and Chris Jordan, who bring the pain as well. They all run well for big men, and are known for taking smart angles and never missing tackles.

The outside linebackers are quick as hell and are freaks off the edge on passing downs. Jerrell Harris is one of those players that could play for any team and Nico Johnson and Courtney Upshaw are solid contributors as well.

Upshaw may be the best player on this defensive squad and is also a top-five linebacker in the nation in my opinion.

They are relentless when making tackles, however that can backfire since this unit has been known to get injured once in a while.

Hightower had a freak knee injury in 2009. The rest of the unit was banged-up last season, and they must stay healthy in 2011 to remain one of the top units in America.    

Best Secondary in America?

The secondary is similar to the linebacker corps in that they are both loaded with stars.

Dre Kirkpatrick at corner comes into the season as a junior, and he is one of the finest in America. He has tremendous ball skills and has great instincts, which are vital as a corner.

Kirkpatrick also has the speed to make tackles behind the line, and he can explode into a ball-carrier on any attempted screen pass.

Dee Milliner, DeQuan Menzie and Will Lowery will battle it out for playing time on the field.

Lowery is more of a nickel back/safety, so expect Menzie and Milliner to share some time. There will be a few youngsters that should playing time since Alabama has so many different options. 

At safety the Tide have not one but two All-Americans. Mark Barron decided to stay in school for his senior season, and Robert Lester returns for his junior season where he was second in the nation with eight interceptions. 

Lowery and Jarrick Williams would start for nearly any non BCS team in America as they look to boost this Tide's secondary even more.

Schedule and Weaknesses

The opener against Kent State should enable Saban to decide who to start under center in time for their primetime game against Paterno.

Arkansas and Florida will compete and challenge the Tide in October. It would not shock me if either one of those teams were to knock off this squad.

Early and late November will then roll around, and if the Tide are still unbeaten they will have to sneak by the Bayou Bengals of LSU and the Tigers of Auburn. In my mind, Alabama will be favored in every single game this season.

The defense had better rise to the occasion, which it failed to do a season ago. South Carolina, LSU and Auburn all hit this same defense with aerial attacks that were unstoppable against what were at the time slow and weak corners.

Alshon Jeffrey scored a 26-yard touchdown, Reuben Randle had a 75 yard bomb, Emory Blak caught a 26-yard touchdown and Terrell Zachery torched the Tide for a back-breaking 70-yard touchdown pass.

The point I'm making is that Alabama had better shore up their so-called "best secondary," or else another three (or more) losses will be on the horizon.

Most ranked teams can get away with a shaky secondary, but not when you are in the SEC going up against future NFL wide receivers. 

Kirkpatrick may turn into a future first-rounder, but luckily he has two superstar safeties roaming the sidelines, laying down the wood on any passes in the field of play.

Drama's Forecast

The loss of superstars Mark Ingram and Julio Jones should not hurt too much if the Tide can play a ball control type of offense and get production out of the passing game. Last year they could step back and thread the needle, so things will have to stay the same at some point in SEC play.

Tuscaloosa has plenty of faith in Saban since he won Alabama their first BCS National Championship.

They dominated Texas two years ago because they were relentless at getting after the passer and because they ran for over 200 yards. They really are the most talented team in America because they are just so physically intimidating.  

If they want to continue their success and become the best program in America, they will need to play lights-out defense and run the ball down the throats of the opposition.

Alabama has the key ingredients needed to do so and they certainly have the man calling all the shots to lead them back to the promise land again in 2012.   

PROJECTED RECORD: 12-2, 7-2 (SEC Title)

PROJECTED FINISH: First in West, Second Overall

PROJECTED BOWL: BCS Fiesta Bowl