2016 College Football Predictions: Alabama Crimson Tide 2016 Football Team Preview: Stop me if you have heard this before. The Alabama Crimson Tide enter the 2016 on the heels of yet another national title. The Crimson Tide overcame an early loss to Ole Miss, rallying to win the vaunted SEC West and the conference crown. They then overwhelmed Michigan State in the College Football Playoff semifinals and outlast Clemson in a thrilling national title game.
A power rushing attack and a ferocious defense has been Alabama’s calling card during its current run of dominance, and you will be hard-pressed to find a team that is more physical in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Year in and year out Nick Saban’s bunch finds a way to be in the mix for a championship, and it could be more of the same this year.
2016 College Football Predictions: Alabama Crimson Tide 2016 Football Team Preview
The Good News
Alabama is returning plenty of starters on one of the country’s top defenses. In fact, you could easily make the argument that the Crimson Tide have the best defensive front and the best linebacking corps, and the secondary is a top-five unit, as well. Led by stud left tackle Cam Robinson, Alabama is just as loaded along the offensive line, and Calvin Ridley leads a dangerous group of receivers that will make sure defenses can’t load up on Alabama’s ground game. Not to mention the fact that offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin knows how to get the most out of his offensive personnel. Another top-ranked recruiting class won’t hurt the cause either, and when it comes to overall talent, the Crimson Tide have as much as any team in the country.
The Bad News
The Crimson Tide must again break in a new starting quarterback. Yes, they have some talented options to choose from, but none of those options have any experience playing in big games. Alabama will also be replacing Heisman-winning running back Derrick Henry, and while the Crimson Tide have been able to churn out power backs, there is always uncertainty when breaking in a new starter. The schedule doesn’t do Alabama any favors either. An out-of-conference matchup against USC isn’t a walk in the park, and road games LSU, Ole Miss and Tennessee are even tougher. Don’t underestimate the loss of defensive coordinator Kirby Smart either.
Bottom Line
Alabama’s success under Saban starts and ends in the trenches, and this year’s group is loaded along both lines. Of course, there is the matter of breaking in a new quarterback, but three out of the last four times the Crimson Tide have had a first-year starter under center, they have gone on to claim the national title. Thanks to an abundance of talent on the defensive side of the ball and a rock solid offensive line, it should only take serviceable quarterback play to put them back in contention.
As has been the case in recent years, one slip up during the course of a brutal schedule seems likely. However, the Crimson Tide should still pile up more than enough quality wins to claim the SEC West title and put themselves in position to reach the College Football Playoff by claiming the conference crown.
Prediction: 11-1, SEC West Division Champions
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