The Alabama Crimson Tide had another solid season, but it still could have been a whole loy better had a fluky play vs Auburn not happen in the Iron Bowl. Alabama lost that game and then Lost by 14 points to Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl to finish the season 11-2. Now the Tide have re-loaded once again and are ready to yet again be in the mix for a National Title. Preview & schedule are below.
The Tide averaged 38.2 ppg last year, but will now be without QB AJ McCarron. In steps Florida State transfer Jake Coker, who nearly beat out Jameis Winston last year. Jake has the luxury of throwing to the best set of WR’s in the SEC and 2nd best set in the nation that is led by Amari Coper, who just may be the first WR taken in next year’s draft. When Coker isn’t asked to throw he will be handing the ball off to the best set of RBs in the nation led by TJ Yeldon (1235, 14 TDs) and Kenyan Drake (694 yards, 8 TDs). Both the WR and RB corps are also blessed outstanding depth that includes many highly touted players. All of those players will be setting up behind a very strong OL that rates as 8th best in the nation. 3 starters are back the line and they have added in the #1 DL out of high school in Cam Robinson. He will play LT. The defense has just 5 starters back, but no matter how many they have back this is always a strength of the team. 2w Years ago they brought back just 5 starters and allowed just 10.9 ppg. Back in 2010 they brought back 2 starters and allowed just 13.5 ppg. The DL is rated 8th best in the nation and is led by A’Shawn Robinson, who led the team in sacks last year with 5.5 as a freshman. This unit will also adding the #! DL out of high in De’Shawn Hand. The LB rates as 4 th best in the nation despite the fact that just 1 starters returns to the unit. In the secondary they have a former #1 DB out of HS in Landon Collins, who had 4 TFL, 6 PBUs and 2 INTs last year. The secondary rates as 4th best in the land.
The Alabama Crimson Tide lose talent every year, but they just reload and this year is no different, especially with the #1 recruiting class in the nation coming in. The Offense should again be good and Coker’s life has really been made easier with outstanding skill players and a powerful OL. The defense lost some talent, but nothing that can’t be replaced and they have done that with some outstanding recruits. Road games vs Ole Miss and LSU will really test this team, but the rest of the schedule really looks like a cakewalk. The Tide are clearly the class of the SEC and should win the SEC Title game, on their way to taking part in the NCAA’s new playoff system. KEY TREND: 7-1-1 ATS their last 9 games vs Florida
2014 Alabama Football Schedule
Aug. 30 West Virginia (in Atl)
Sep. 6 Florida Atlantic
Sep. 13 Southern Miss
Sep. 20 Florida
Sep. 27 OPEN DATE
Oct. 4 at Ole Miss
Oct. 11 at Arkansas
Oct. 18 Texas A&M
Oct. 25 at Tennessee
Nov. 1 OPEN DATE
Nov. 8 at LSU
Nov. 15 Mississippi State
Nov. 22 Western Carolina
Nov. 29 Auburn
Info gathered From Phil Steele's CFB Preview and Athlon Sports
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