When an 11-win season is considered a failure you know the bar is set high. A perennial College Football Playoff participant and national championship threat, the Alabama Crimson Tide will look to get back in the hunt in 2023. Regular season losses to Tennessee and LSU cost the Tide the SEC East title, a trip to the conference championship game and a berth in the CFP. You could say the Tide will be playing with a chip on their shoulder this season, but the loss of several big time players, including No. 1 overall NFL draft pick Bryce Young and an overall tougher conference has Nick Saban’s group answering more questions than in previous years. Still, the Tide simply reloads with talent and is once again expected to win at least 10 games.
College Football Season Wins Odds
Regular Season Wins for the Alabama Crimson Tide
Over 10 ( -153 )
Under 10 ( +136 )
Under Saban the Tide has an incredible streak of 15 consecutive seasons with 10 or more wins. The top programs attract the best athletes and Alabama just reloads when faced with the loss of several key performers. We’ve seen it in the past and this year the team is faced with replacing No. 1 overall NFL draft pick and 2021 Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young on offense. The team must also replace 2022 SEC Defensive Player of the Year Will Anderson Jr. on defense.
Roster
A few years ago the Tide had QBs Jalen Hurts, Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones on its roster. All three are currently tearing it up in the NFL. There was a hierarchy at that time with Tua the starter, Jones the backup and Hurts the odd man out leaving him the transfer option, which he took advantage of. This year a trio of hopefuls is vying for the starting spot with no clear cut favorite. Jalen Milroe has experience in the system serving as Young’s backup last season. However, a close call against Texas AM in Milroe’s only start exposed the gap.
Alabama changed its offensive philosophy several years ago abandoning the run-heavy approach for a more wide open attack with the QB being the significant piece. The system worked because players like Hurts, Tagovailoa, Jones and Young ran the offense flawlessly to form one of the most feared units in college football. The offense took a tumble last year, though, finishing 11th nationally with 477.1 yards per game, the first time since 2017 Bama finished outside the top 10.
For the first time in a decade Alabama is facing uncertainty at the QB spot. Milroe is the most athletic player at the position with Ty Simpson having a higher ceiling as a passer. Simpson played a handful of late-game snaps last year. Another hat was tossed in the ring when Notre Dame transfer Tyler Buchner committed to the club. Saban called the development of his quarterbacks the most significant factor to any success the team will have.
We do know that whoever starts will have plenty of weapons at his disposal. The offensive line has several five-star prospects to help the run game alleviate the pressure. And running the football is Jase McClellan, who finished second to first-round NFL draft pick Jahmyr Gibbs with 655 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.
Often overshadowed by the exploits of the offense, Alabama again boasted a strong defense that ranked ninth nationally in points allowed and 13th in yards per game allowed. The coordinator’s job at Bama was easy thanks to Anderson. During his Alabama career, Anderson was one of the most disruptive players in college football finishing with 58.5 tackles for loss and 34.5 sacks. There is no shortage of talented players waiting for their opportunity to become the next dominant force along Alabama’s front.
Schedule
The SEC is always a grind, but the Tide does have the luxury of getting some important matchups at home. The non-conference tilt with Texas and league matchups with LSU and Tennessee all take place at Bryant-Denny Stadium. And revenge for both losses last season will be looming. Other non-conference games against MTSU, USF and Chattanooga are all wins.
Prediction
The amount of talent on the field doesn’t really matter if the QB situation isn’t settled. This is a battle that could easily carry over into the season if one of the three players doesn’t leap forward. The team likely takes a step back offensively and the loss of Anderson impacts the other side of the football. Still, you can’t count out Saban and the talent he recruits to Tuscaloosa, but losing twice last regular season with a more talented roster doesn’t give me hope.
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