SI: Why Alabama, not Oklahoma should be preseason No. 1

[pmull]

No disrespect to the Sooners, who return the bulk of last year's 12-2, Big 12 championship squad, but the best team in the country this fall will be the Alabama Crimson Tide. Frankly, it's a bit baffling that this isn't a more common sentiment.

Yes, preseason polls follow a predictably standard formula, and no, Nick Saban's team doesn't exactly fit the mold. The Tide went 10-3 last year, not 12-2. They had four standouts -- 2009 Heisman winner Mark Ingram, defensive end Marcell Dareus, receiver Julio Jones and left tackle James Carpenter -- selected in the first round of last month's NFL draft, which seems like a lot to replace. And then there's the fact that the Tide will be breaking in a new quarterback, which always gives voters reason for pause.

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[#1Tidefan]

Couldn't agree more. It's gonna be a looong summer, but come August, after the summer practice, that story just might become true...we'll see.

[BAMAWV]

The last time the Tide won a NC, they did so with a new QB at the wheel. Our traditionally run heavy offense mitigates the liabilities of having a first year starter. Our QB is expected to be a game manager, without a lot of panache, in CNS's system. Our problems with McCarron or Sims will be when and if the game is tight and time is running out. Clock management and the ability to run the offense under pressure improves with experience only and is impossible to simulate in practice. I would like to see the '11 defense take control, to the point of giving our starter 8 games worth of experience (reps) in the first 4 outings.

I am far from the brightest bulb, but I fail to see why being #2 going into the NCG is a disadvantage.

[pmull]

The last time the Tide won a NC, they did so with a new QB at the wheel. Our traditionally run heavy offense mitigates the liabilities of having a first year starter. Our QB is expected to be a game manager, without a lot of panache, in CNS's system. Our problems with McCarron or Sims will be when and if the game is tight and time is running out. Clock management and the ability to run the offense under pressure improves with experience only and is impossible to simulate in practice. I would like to see the '11 defense take control, to the point of giving our starter 8 games worth of experience (reps) in the first 4 outings.

I am far from the brightest bulb, but I fail to see why being #2 going into the NCG is a disadvantage.

In 2009 a lot of people were upset because we in third place behind Texas and Florida for most of the year. I kept telling them Florida will take care of itself. All you have to be is #2 to make the BCS game.

[ricky023]

Well I don't think our season ranking changes until after the Arkansas game unless we loose a game before then. We are a certian lock on these front games, so please don't let us loose one, but when we play Arkie for some reason every year that's when our season seems to truly start. RTR!

[pmull]

Well I don't think our season ranking changes until after the Arkansas game unless we loose a game before then. We are a certian lock on these front games, so please don't let us loose one, but when we play Arkie for some reason every year that's when our season seems to truly start. RTR!

Do you think that could be because "Arkie" is our first SEC game?

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