EXPECTATIONS
After winning five national titles in the last nine seasons, Alabama is shifting its goal this season to a TaxSlayer Bowl championship. Kidding, of course. The Crimson Tide were the overwhelming preseason No. 1 team earlier this month, receiving 61 of a possible 65 first-place votes from the coaches in the Amway poll. Alabama is entering Nick Saban’s 12th season coming off a national championship but trying to reclaim state, division and conference crowns. The Crimson Tide showcased in January’s win over Georgia just how much young talent there is in the program, and this year’s offense is stacked up front and in skilled areas. Isaiah Buggs and Raekwon Davis should keep Alabama stout in the first line of defense.
CONCERNS
Alabama has sustained heavy personnel losses before under Saban, but losing six defensive backs is a first. The Crimson Tide had five defensive backs drafted by NFL teams in April, leaving the secondary as easily the chief rebuilding project. Deionte Thompson has quality experience at safety, while Trevon Diggs has some at cornerback, but the Crimson Tide’s back end will be filled with fresh faces, including some from the 2018 signing class. Saivion Smith, who began his career at LSU, earned a first-team spot at corner this spring, and true freshman Patrick Surtain II was the nation’s top cornerback this past winter. Keeping the linebackers healthy is every bit as important as revamping the secondary, with Alabama having already been leveled by Terrell Lewis suffering an ACL tear this summer.
WHAT’S NEW