The two leading sports annuals in our market, Athlon and Lindy's, have somewhat divergent ideas on the Tide's prospects this year. Both rave over the team's recruiting efforts, the nation's best, and agree Saban will produce a championship down the line. But one feels this will still be a major rebuilding year while the other is a little more optimistic.
Athlon cites heavy losses of starters on defense as cause for concern. The shifting of several players to new positions in the offseason (some have even switched sides of the ball) and the installation of yet another new offense will produce an early learning curve. Athlon also believes John Parker Wilson's stellar numbers are too riddled with inconsistency (and turnovers) in the clutch to allow him to carry the team. With Bama meeting virtually all their toughest SEC opponents on the road this year, they foresee status quo or a one win improvement at best. They give the Tide 6 likely wins, 5 probable losses, and 1 toss-up.
Final ranking: Nationally, 30th. SEC West, 3rd
Lindy's (published in Alabama, btw) grants a few of those points but believe there is potential for a breakout season for many freshman in Saban's merciless meritocracy. They believe JPW may finally shed his lingering insecurities. And they point to a tendency for new coaches to have a major spike in quality in their second season. None of these are as objective as Athlon's reasons, in my book, but I sure hope they are right.
Final ranking: Nationally, 20th. SEC West, 3rd
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2 comments:
Who Knows?
Extremely good question! I know it's not me, although I reserve the right to think I know as much about the game and the team as, most all of, these scribes presume to!
As for Athlon, I would have to agree with there rationale, more so than Lindy's, at least for this year! To many 'stars' lost on 'D' to expect much more than an average 'D', at least by Bama standards. For there to be anything more, this FRESHMAN class will have to more than live up to their HYPE! As most observers know the typical class, or even single player cannot be judged properly until at least the start of their Senior Year. So this class will probably produce more sometime within their 2nd year.
Either way FRESHMEN will be FRESHMEN!
Moving players from the 'D' to the 'O' side or vice-versa hasn't always panned out within the college ranks. GOOD-LUCK!
As for the 'O' side of the ball, well you naturally start with the QB position, no change here! You still have a QB who consistently throws the ball HIGH! Seems like there isn't a QB coach that has worked with him, for this would be one main point of focus, or at least should have been in the past!
Don't know about anyone else but after watching JPW throw one or two long balls he tends to throw high on quick slants, and crossing patterns! This is mechanical, he's letting the ball go at the same spot as his long balls, which leads to, (INT's), high throws.
If JPW comes around, with his third 'O' in three yrs., granted there is suppossed to be only about a 30% change in the 'O', still something else new to learn, he and his receivers will need to be on the same page!
Here we come to the receivers, decent players, but who is going to step up and be that go-to guy? Does anyone propose that Jones will be that guy? I think he'll show good but not convinced he will become that go to guy! Personaly I think the TE's and Backs will have to come into the Passing game quite a bit more than even last year.
RB's with the HELP of the 'O-Line' should be a staple of this 'O' until midway into the season, when the wide-outs should be able to be on the same page with JPW and therefore swing some games by themselves!
As for predictions, they're almost impossible in pre-season, with injuries and such who could know, unless you've got a pipe-line to the almighty!
But I shall be fool-hearty and try.
OVERALL:
WINS: 7
Tulane(H) - Western Ky.(H) - Ark.(H) - Ky.(H) - Miss.(H) - Ark. St.(H) - Miss. St.(H)
LOSSES: 4
Clemson(A) - Georgia(A) - UT(A) - LSU(A)
FENCE: Aub.(H)
SEC:
WINS: 4/5
Ark.(H) - Ky.(H) - Miss.(H) - Miss. St.(H)
On Fence: Aub.(H)
LOSSES: 3/4
Ga.(A) - LSU(A) - UT(A)
On Fence: Aub.(H)
As for Nat'l rankings, while looking through my Crimson Glasses, I'll go for #23 at years end!
Two things stand out like a sore thumb, overall SOS and the Home and Away Schedule!
One things for sure, the Alumni, (yours included), should have some HAPPY TIMES in BD this Season!
I'm not ready to stick my neck out and make too many predictions yet, but didn't Saban really do well in his second season at LSU? And wasn't that program a mess when he inherited it? I need to look that up.
Strength of schedule is a big concern.
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