2018 Alabama Crimson Tide Season Preview
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Alabama has been excellent for a stretch of time, as 2017 ended in an unplanned fashion, but the team still secured a National Championship.
Alabama started their 2017 season off on the right foot and went on an eleven-game win streak until finally falling to the Auburn Tigers 26-14. Head coach Nick Saban did not let that get into his head, as the Crimson Tide decimated the Clemson Tigers in the 2018 Sugar Bowl.
Alabama generally has an outstanding roster on both sides of the football, and now with a number of stars gone, here is a look at the 2018 Alabama Crimson Tide team:
Alabama Offense
The Alabama offense, possibly led by rising Junior Jalen Hurts, has lost two crucial parts of their team in Bo Scarbrough and Calvin Ridley. The turnout of this is that they do have other players to fill those roles in the offense, such as Damien Harris, Najee Harris and Josh Jacobs. Even at wide receiver, there is Henry Ruggs, who came off of an astonishing freshman season. With a strong recruiting class, Alabama will add more depth to their offensive game.
Some of the questions highlighting the Crimson Tide include the center position, as well as the current quarterback situation. If Alabama runs two quarterbacks to switch the pace on occasion, it could revolutionize college football to a degree. Coming into next season, the offense of Alabama just should be just as dominant as before, and the ceiling is slowly rising.
Alabama Defense
The 2017 Alabama defense was spectacular, but this year will be a little different. The defense has lost several key players including DB Minkah Fitzpatrick, DL Da’Ron Payne, LB Rashaan Evans, DB Ronnie Harrison, DL Da’Shawn Hand, DB Anthony Averett, LB Shaun Dion Hamilton and DL Joshua Frazier. With the seventh-best recruiting class in the nation, the Crimson Tide should manage to land on their feet. Patrick Surtain Jr. is a five-star recruit who will fill the role of Fitzpatrick this upcoming season. In addition, there are 20 additional recruits ready for 2018.
It will be very interesting to see what the young defensive core can do, as there will be learning moments along the way.
The Schedule
Alabama had a successful 2017 season, beating the Georgia Bulldogs in overtime in the National Championship 26-23. While this upcoming schedule shows a few roadblocks, Alabama has the talent to defeat anyone in their path.
The biggest barrier this season will be their matchup against Auburn in Tuscaloosa. Aside from that, there shouldn’t be too much trouble getting through the other eleven teams they face.
Conclusion
Alabama could very well have a season similar to last season. They looked great all season up their loss to Auburn, but that was a proven fluke. If Nick Saban develops the younger players properly, the Crimson Tide will be seen at the top of the totem pole by the end of the upcoming season.
Prediction: 12-0, SEC Champions, NCAA Champions
Photo Source: http://www.rolltide.com
