The 2014 season was likely viewed as a great disappointment for the Alabama Crimson Tide even though they were semifinalists in the first ever College Football Playoff. Anything less than a National Championship is a big disappointment, and this year isn't going to be an exception with what has become a Nick Saban rule.
2015 SCHEDULE
9/5: vs. Wisconsin (in Arlington, TX)
9/12: vs. Middle Tennessee
9/19: vs. Ole Miss
9/26: vs. Louisiana-Monroe
10/3: @ Georgia
10/10: vs. Arkansas
10/17: @ Texas A&M
10/24: vs. Tennessee
11/7: vs. LSU
11/14: @ Mississippi State
11/21: vs. Charleston Southern
11/28: @ Auburn
SEASON WIN TOTAL
The schedule for Alabama is not shockingly very difficult again, as the Tide have to head to Athens, Starkville and Auburn this year, all of which are places they could lose. The opener against Wisconsin in Arlington isn't going to be any fun either, but that's the type of game which will help build up the SEC and its resume for the CFP.
The season win total for Alabama is just nine, though the vig on the over is -145. Many are going to look at that and just outwardly assume that the Crimson Tide should have no problems whatsoever at least getting to that mark. After all, what are the chances that Alabama wins only eight games this year to beat you?
Considering the fact that Saban has never won fewer than nine games in the regular season in Tuscaloosa, the odds are probably pretty good.
OFFENSIVE OUTLOOK
The fact of the matter is that the Crimson Tide really only reload, not rebuild, but this project on offense could be an issue.
Just look around at the names that are going to be starting for Alabama this year. Jacob Coker hasn't looked good in the spring under center, but with only David Cornwell challenging him, he looks to be the man in Tuscaloosa regardless.
Derrick Henry is a bull, and he'll take over for T.J. Yeldon in the backfield and should have a lot of success. Don't be stunned if he challenges for the Heisman Trophy this year.
Robert Foster, Cam Sims, ArDarius Stewart and Chris Black figure to be the primary receivers for Coker. Though these men are inevitably stellar athletes, Amari Cooper isn't walking through those doors.
For good measure, only two offensive linemen are back from last year's team as well.
DEFENSIVE OUTLOOK
If Alabama is going to win games this year, it is going to do so with its defense. Reggie Ragland is one of the best inside linebackers in America, and he is the next in a long line of leaders at the position for the Crimson Tide. Landon Collins leaving early for the NFL was a mistake on his part and horrible for Alabama.
That said, there are still eight returning starters from last year's defense, and the end result should be fewer bad games. Ohio State and Auburn aren't hanging a combined 79 against this unit in two games, and teams like West Virginia won't score 23 either.
SEASON PREDICTION
There are going to be a lot of ugly games this season in Tuscaloosa. Don't be stunned if there are some totals in the 30s when push comes to shove when this team is on the field, even in the blowout games. We could see 31-0 being the result against teams like MTSU and ULM.
If Coker shines in his senior year as he was projected to do so at Florida State until Jameis Winston got to town, the Crimson Tide will again challenge for the National Championship.
Aside from that though, we think that over/under of nine wins is just about right for Alabama, and if that's the case, +180 odds to get into the second CFB and a +825 price to win it all just aren't worth it.
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