EXPECTATIONS
Given that 11th-year coach Nick Saban developed the mantra this summer of “not wasting a failure” in reference to January’s 35-31 loss to Clemson, nothing short of a national championship is satisfactory during this dominant era in Tuscaloosa. After all, Alabama was 14-0 heading to its title showdown against the Tigers, with 13 of those triumphs by double digits. The Crimson Tide rolled offensively for most of last season behind dual-threat quarterback Jalen Hurts, who was named Southeastern Conference offensive player of the year as a freshman. Hurts is expected to be a better passer as a sophomore under the guidance of Alabama first-year offensive coordinator Brian Daboll.
CONCERNS
This isn’t much of a list. Hurts does need to be much more effective through the air compared to the closing stretch of last season, but he does have junior running backs Damien Harris and Bo Scarbrough back along with junior receiver Calvin Ridley to ease any transition he might have to make. There is talent at every level defensively – isn’t there always under Saban? – but it is fair to wonder if there will be a drop-off at outside linebacker with Ryan Anderson and Tim Williams in the NFL and with Anfernee Jennings, Christian Miller and Terrell Lewis not possessing tons of quality experience. Kicker Adam Griffith had peaks and valleys during his college career, but he was a three-year starter.
WHAT’S NEW