As always for a program with rich tradition and a history of success, expectations are quite high for the University of Alabama Crimson Tide. The fan base always expects the Tide to field a team that is capable of winning championships, and this year is no exception. Alabama is coming off a 12-0 regular season followed by consecutive losses to Florida in the SEC Championship Game followed by Utah in the Sugar Bowl. Many voters believe Alabama will indeed win the SEC West again in 2009-2010. Will we see a rematch of last year's SEC title game? Perhaps, but the Tide have some questions to answer before that can be determined. On offense, the Tide have to replace starting quarterback John Parker Wilson. Junior Greg McElroy won the job during the offseason and looks poised to take over an offense that will look quite different from the 2008 version. McElroy will be taking snaps behind an offensive line that features three new starters, including left tackle, center, and right guard. Former left tackle Andre Smith (#6 overall pick in this year's NFL draft) will be missed while McElroy learns to adjust to the speed of SEC defenses. Offensive line isn't the only position that will be revamped in 2009: the starting running back and tight end positions will feature new starters this year in sophmore running Mark Ingram, who lead them team with 12 touchdowns last year, and a pair of tight ends in senior Colin Peek and Brad Smelley.
If McElroy can manage the offense and not turn the ball over, the Tide has potential to be solid on offense. Sophomore receiver stud Julio Jones, who broke just about every school record for a freshman receiver last year, will be the focal point for offensive coordinator Jim McElwain. Jones had 58 catches for 924 yards last season but managed to find the endzone only 4 times. The Tide need to focus on looking for Jones in the redzone to really maximize his potential. With Jones' size and speed (6-4, 210 lbs and a 40 yard dash in the 4.4 range) he should have no problem scoring more during his sophomore season.
Alabama head coach Nick Saban always fields a ferocious defense and this season will be no exception. Last year's defense was one of the elite units in the country and returns nine starters in 2009. Defensive coordinator Kirby Smart has to be pleased that senior nose tackle Terrance Cody (more affectionately known by the Tide faithful as "Mount Cody", standing at 6'5 and 365 pounds) decided to return for another year of terrorizing SEC offensive lines. The defensive line as a whole should be giving opposing offenses fits this season. Behind the line returns one of the top linebacking corps in the nation including junior Rolando McClain and sophomore Dont'a Hightower. With Alabama's base 3-4 defense, the Tide does an outstanding job of fielding a speedy defense fronted with huge lineman.
Returning to the Tide's secondary are Jim Thorpe watch list cornerback Javier Arenas, who is one of the best shutdown corners in the league, as well as last year's other starting cornerback Kareem Jackson. Replacing Rashad Jones at free safety will be the toughest task for the Alabama defense. If they can find a solid replacement, the Crimson Tide should be among the best defensive units in the nation once again.
Special teams should be a strength for the Tide as well. Placekicker Leigh Tiffin and punter P.J. Fitzgerald return to the field. Javier Arenas also handles the return duties for the Tide. Last season Arenas returned three punts for touchdowns and hopes to build on that number this year.
Many SEC fans are quick to criticize the tactics of Alabama head coach Nick Saban. Allegations have been flying since last year about illegal recruiting tactics and NCAA violations. The Tide has appealed a decision from the NCAA regarding a text book scandal which caused the loss of scholarships for several sports, including football. Saban has also dismissed an extraordinarily high number of players from his program over the past few years. It is safe to say that the NCAA will be keeping a close eye on the goings on in Tuscaloosa for the next couple of years. But no matter how Saban gets his recruits to campus, he brought the #1 signing class of 2009 to campus, and once they arrive, Saban makes sure they get it done on the field as well. Unfortunately for opposing SEC teams, the NCAA oversight committee might be the only group who can stop the Tide this year.
The Tide open the season in Atlanta with an out of conference matchup against Virginia Tech, who just lost their leading rusher Darren Evans for the year to an ACL injury. With the exception of a tough Hokie team, Alabama's out of conference opponents combined for just seven wins last season. With their toughest road game in Oxford against Ole Miss on October 10th, the Tide definitely have a schedule for success in 2009. Despite hosting LSU and playing the Iron Bowl in Auburn this year, Alabama has one of the easy conference schedules in the SEC. If the offense comes around early in the year, I expect big things from the Crimson Tide.
Realistic best case scenario: 12-0
Realistic worst case scenario: 9-3
X Marc's The Spot Predicts: 10-2 (7-1) and a loss in the SECCG to Florida
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