subject: Alabama College Football Predictions 2010 [print this page] Alabama went 14-0 last year and won the national championship over the Texas Longhorns. They are the preseason favorite to win it all again in 2010. Nick Saban managed to win a title in his third year on the job, and he's now 33-8 in his three seasons here. His recruiting skills are sure to be put to the test this year, especially on the defensive side of the ball where only two starters return. Their will have to rely on an offense that should be explosive this season with eight returning starters early.
I'm going to preview the Crimson Tide below, as well as list my predictions on this team. If you want to know how this conference plays out as a whole, then take a look at my 2010 SEC football predictions article. By looking at the college football odds, Alabama is almost a shoe-in to reach the SEC Championship game this year.
Offense:
Alabama put up 32.1 points per game and 403.0 total yards per contest last season. With eight returning starters on offense, there's no reason to think they can't match and exceed those numbers. QB Greg McElroy is the real deal, RB Mark Ingram won the Heisman Trophy last year, and at wide receiver Julio Jones and Marquise Maze each get overlooked because this is a run-first offense. Ingram rushed for 1,658 yards and 17 touchdowns a year ago, and his backup Trent Richardson chipped in 751 yards and 8 scores in 2009.
The offensive line returns 14-game starters in C William Vlachos, RG Barrett Jones and LT James Carpenter. McElroy has never lost as a starter, throwing for 2,508 yards and 17 touchdowns last year. But Alabama will rely heavily on their running game once again after rushing for 215.1 yards in 2009. But look for them to open up the playbook a little with Jones and Maze on the outside.
Defense:
If Alabama can get back to the national title game, it will be because of their defense. The offense is in good hands, but it will be hard for the Crimson Tide to match their 09 numbers after allowing 11.7 points per game and 244.1 total yards per contest. LB Dant'a Hightower and SS Mark Barron are the lone returning starters, but Saban likes the talent he has coming in.
Alabama does have some experience along the defensive line with DT's Josh Chapman and Luther Davis, who filled in nicely behind starter Terrence Cody. Also, DE's Marcell Dareus and Cortney Upshaw both played in every game a year ago. Hightower figures to be the best player on this side of the ball as he moves to middle linebacker to replace Rolando McClain. Baron led all SEC players with 7 interceptions last year, so he's a good one to have back.
SEC Prediction: 1st West Division - Not only do I have the Crimson Tide winning the West, I also have them winning the SEC and getting back to the National Title game where they will also prove victorious. Saban has proven he can recruit and he's a defensive mastermind, so I cannot see this Alabama defense dropping off too much. Plus, even if they do take a small dip in production, the offense can pick them up with all the key pieces they have returning. This team is loaded again in 2010, and Saban will keep them hungry and motivated so don't expect a letdown.
