Crimson Red Sports

4     Alabama


Projected 2012 record: 10-2
Last season: 12-1 Alabama will be loaded again and it should be even stronger in the passing game, but can the running game continue to excel without Trent Richardson? Can the defense be the same sort of killer it was throughout last year without seven starters? Will the kicking game come through when it has to in the big games? The answer to all of the above is probably a resounding yes, but that still might mean a really strong two-loss season. The Tide has to go to Death Valley to deal with a loaded LSU. While 'Bama will be better than everyone else on the schedule, there are four other landmines against Michigan (in Arlington, Texas), at Missouri, at Tennessee and at Arkansas. RB Eddie Lacy is a playmaker who’s ready for a bigger role and the defense will quickly reload around strong safety Robert Lester and linebacker Nico Johnson. On the plus side, Outland-winning OL Barrett Jones chose to come back to join Chance Warmack and D.J. Fluker to keep QB AJ McCarron's jersey clean.

While 'Bama will be better than everyone else on the schedule, there are four other landmines against Michigan (in Arlington, Texas), at Missouri, at Tennessee and at Arkansas.

What is that guy smoking?  I can see a potential loss to LSU, or rather I can see where a pundit could expect a potential loss to LSU (I expect 14-0).  However, those 4 games are listed as landmines?  REALLY?  Tennessee?  They may not even have a coach by late October.  Arkansas has already lost their coach, and the players are dropping like flies as they go for the Fulmer Cup.  Missouri will be welcomed to the SEC with a trip to the woodshed.  Michigan will suffer the same fate as Clemson and Va Tech.  The only thing standing between us and a repeat is a hungry LSU team out for revenge.

Well hope your right Super Coach, but I think the main concern will be how our Tight ends and WR's step up. I think the O could be very good this year but D is always a crap shoot when replacing so many starters. I do think CNS will have them more ready than the D of 2010 was. I think that team showed that after winning it all they felt like wins would come just by stepping on the field but CNS is not going to let this team do the same stuff.

I do see Arky (even without CBP) will be a tough one and LSU of course,
But a lot of Bama fans, including me, are writing of UM as a automatic win, lets not forget Bama has had problems in the past with QB's that can move, and DR can do that well. Still think Bama wins but not as big as some.

I think the author tends to put too much weight on the 'AT' (away) games he mentions and too little weight on the returning O-line talent and experience. Alabama typically travels quite well probably in part because Bama is a highly disciplined, focused team that doesn't depend on that home field energy to get out there and perform (like a certain Lee county school). I don't think you could ask for a more solid offensive line group than we have returning this year.

If you thought coach played ball-control last year, just wait. He will play to our strength, which, this year, is the O-line. Big experienced line with 3 or 4 able backs, 3-5 yards a carry, TOP 40 min +. I don't care what kind of offense any one has: they won't score if they can't get the ball.

This^^

I don't think CNS will let Nuss light it up in every game. Ball control on offense keeps the defense off the field. If AJ is throwing it up a lot, we're giving the opponent's offense more time with the ball. That could prove dangerous with teams like Arky.

If the rec show that they can get open and catch the ball, make plays, as well as pass protect from the front, I think Bama will throw the ball.  Now if they get a lead then look out for the heavy dose of running.  The O cannot allow the D to crowd the line with 7/8 in the box and not make them pay for it.

Agreed, coach. Hopefully these young and talented receivers will step up and make the plays. Norwood looked good in the BCS game, so maybe he picks up where he left off. Seems like we have the most potential at WR than we have had a long time; now they just have to live up to it. Get those guys going, and then gash defenses with doses of Lacy, Fowler, and Yeldon, and I think the O will be able to score at will.