2013 Outlook - Alabama

The defending national champs had one of the best defenses ever assembled last season, and many of those players will now be suiting up on Sundays.  For that reason alone, it is hard to imagine that this team will be able to duplicate their accomplishments from a year ago.  Add to that the loss of superstar Trent Richardson, and this again is not a point in Alabama's favor. Having said all of that, this team is still very talented, and although I don't see them repeating as national champs, they will still be a considerable factor in the national title picture.

With Richardson gone, the Tide are going to have to be able to pass the ball to be successful.  JR QB AJ McCarron has good tools, and he will now be relied upon to shoulder the load.  Duron Carter (son of former NFL superstar, Chris Carter) will be his top target, if he can stay off suspension and out on the field.  The pair has the potential to be excellent, and behind a line lead by first round talents DJ Fluker and Barrett Jones, they should have the time to hook up frequently.

I see almost no way this defense doe not take a step backwards.  They lost Donta Hightower, Courtney Upshaw, Dre Kirkpatrick, DeQuan Menzie, Josh Chapman, and Mark Barron.  SR NT Jesse Williams will need to anchor the line against the run.  If he can do that, it will allow for the one of the best linebacking corps in the nation to make plays.  SR Nico Johnson is the veteran of this unit, and he will have a talented bunch alongside him including JR CJ Mosley, and standout SOs Xzavier Dickson and Adrian Hubbard.  For the Tide to be successful, these linebackers will need to lead the way.  The secondary will be anchored by SR S Robert Lester.  He is quite talented, but has some very big shoes to fill and needs help from some inexperienced teammates.

By most measures the Tide will be a force.  I just can't see them repeating as National Champs.