2012-13 Football Previews – (SEC) – Alabama Crimson Tide
Head coach Nick Saban has fielded a lethal football squad in Dixieland since his arrival six years ago. The Tide had a Sugar Bowl appearance in 2008, followed by National Titles in ’09 and last season. While taskmaster Saban must replace a considerable amount of NFL-bound talent in 2012, this team is deeper and more talented than most, and is poised for another great season in the SEC West division.
SEC 2012-13 Football Previews: Alabama Crimson Tide
Coach: Nick Saban
2011 Record: 12-1
Alabama Gambling Odds from Bovada.lv to win BCS: 11-2
Alabama Team Page – Players Stats – Roster – 2012 Schedule –>
Attrition is a word the Tide and their fans are familiar with. Alabama must replace four 1st-round NFL Draft choices (that is not a misprint) and eight players drafted overall from last year’s team. Still, this outfit from Tuscaloosa is as talented as any team in the conference.
The offense will be led by returning junior QB A.J. McCarron, who had a very respectable year throwing the football last year, despite the attack being predominately run-heavy thanks to departed RB Trent Richardson and returning back Eddie Lacy. The run game should still be in excellent form, with Lacy running and cutting behind a superb offensive line anchored by C Barrett Jones and RT D.J. Fluker.
Yet, Alabama has and will continue to hang its hat on defense. The Tide “D” was dripping with next-level talent last year; names like Dont’a Hightower, Mark Barron, Courtney Upshaw and Dre Kirkpatrick will be called by NFL TV crews for many years to come. There is still plenty of talent on that side of the ball this season, however. In the menacing 3-4 defensive scheme the Tide plays, the front three will be notable with veterans Damion Square, huge NT Jesse Williams and new starter Ed Stinson. Look for Stinson to establish himself as a player. The linebackers are still A-OK, with MLB C.J. Mosley and OLB Nico Johnson surely headed to the NFL after this season.
There are undeniable losses in the secondary (Barron and Kirkpatrick come to mind), but new starting CB Dee Milliner should be legitimate and S Robert Lester is a solid if unspectacular contributor. Thanks to the stellar recruiting of Saban and his staff, the depth is as good as it always is at ’Bama. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The special teams have been shaky at times in the past couple seasons; Tide kickers (including returning starting K Jeremy Shelley) have missed crucial field goals in big games. However, a year’s more experience should work wonders for Shelley and incumbent P Cody Mandell. All that good depth means the return and kick-off units are in good stead.
Alabama draws the Michigan Wolverines in its opening game, played in neutral site Arlington, TX, on Sept. 1. This is certainly a different vibe than playing a pushover like Alabama-Birmingham or Middle Tennessee State. The Wolverines aim to win their conference, and they should give the Tide a real challenge. If the Tide get by the first hurdle of the young season, they then must navigate road games at Arkansas, conference newcomer Missouri, high-flying Tennessee and LSU – the bitter rival that ’Bama beat for the National Championship last year. Texas A&M and hated Auburn are in there for good measure.
2012-13 Alabama Football Prediction: 11-2
It isn’t an easy schedule, but if there is any team in the nation equipped to deal with adversity, it’s the Crimson Tide. Despite the losses, the team is a bona fide National Title contender and if the offense can show more dynamism to assist the frenzied defense, Saban and his young men have a decent shot at repeating as champs.
2012 Schedule
9/1/12 8:00 PM ET MICH
9/8/12 TBD WKEN
9/15/12 TBD @ARK
9/22/12 TBD FLATL
9/29/12 TBD MISS
10/13/12 TBD @MISOU
10/20/12 TBD @TENN
10/27/12 TBD MISST
11/3/12 8:00 PM ET @LSU
11/10/12 TBD TXAM
11/17/12 TBD WCAR
11/24/12 TBD AUB
