Winning consecutive BCS titles will be no easy task for the Alabama Crimson Tide, but it is not out of the question when you consider head coach Nick Saban's track record. Under Saban, the Tide are 26-2 the last two seasons, including a perfect 24-0 during the regular season. Saban prides himself on putting together teams that play dominating defense and that take care of the football on offense. Despite a pretty conservative playbook, Alabama still averaged 32.1 points per game in 2009 (22nd nationally), and that number should go up this season. Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram is back, along with star wide receiver Julio Jones and exceptional game-managing quarterback Greg McElroy. After losing so many starters, we may not see the same defense that ranked No. 2 nationally in points allowed and yards allowed last season, but the caliber of Saban's recruiting classes suggest that we will still see a very respectable unit. The experience level may be down, but the talent level is up.
Offense - Ingram returns to lead the offense after rushing for 1,658 yards and 17 touchdowns a season ago, and defenses will get no chance to catch their breath when game-breaking backup Trent Richardson spells him. Because defenses will have to respect this duo so much, it should really open things up for McElroy through the air. McElroy threw for 2,508 yards and 17 scores with only four interceptions in 2009. Four of those touchdown passes went to the deep threat Jones, who should be poised for a big season after battling injuries last year. When teams stack the box, McElroy has the savvy to audible to passing plays. I also expect the Tide to be dangerous in the play-action game because of how much attention opposing defense will pay to the running game.
Defense - Safety Mark Barron, middle linebacker Dont'a Hightower and defensive end Marcell Dareus are the leaders of their respective defensive units. Barron makes plays all over the field. He is the team's top returning tackler (76), and he also picked off seven passes a season ago. Hightower suffered a season-ending injury against Arkansas, but he has made a full recovery. He should be the heart and soul of the defense the way Rolando McClain was last season. Dareus was the defensive MVP of Alabama's BCS championship game victory over Texas. He came up with 6.5 sacks last season, and that number should rise in 2010.
Prediction - 1st SEC West - Saban continues to bring in top notch talent, and that's why it is not out of the realm of possibility for his team to record its third straight perfect regular season. The offense should be better than it was a season ago, so if the defense can reload as expected I see no reason why Bama shouldn't win the West. College football odds makers have listed the Alabama Crimson Tide at +600 to win the BCS championship. Check out my 2010 SEC football predictions to see how I like the entire conference to shape up.
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