Crimson Red Sports

Schedule: The Crimson Tide’s first practice is on Friday at 10:30 a.m. ET, and their first day in full pads is scheduled for next Tuesday. Alabama opens the season on Sept. 1 against Michigan in Arlington, Texas. Kickoff is 8 p.m. ET, and the game will be televised nationally by ABC.

Returning starters: Six on offense, five on defense and the place-kicker and punter on special teams.

Bottom line: Even with some of their personnel losses on defense, the Crimson Tide are talented enough to be right back in the national championship hunt again this season. They’ll start the season ranked No. 2 in the coaches poll. Balance on offense shouldn’t be a problem, not with junior AJ McCarron returning at quarterback and an offensive line that’s bubbling over with talent and experience. Tackle D.J. Fluker, guard Chance Warmack and Jones, who’s moving to center this season, could all end up being first- or second-round draft choices. And on defense, new stars will emerge. That’s just the way it is when you recruit the way the Crimson Tide have on defense. We haven’t seen an outright repeat national champion in college football since Nebraska in 1994 and 1995, but Alabama may have something to say about that this fall.