2018 SEC Season Preview: Alabama Crimson Tide

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Over the course of the next several weeks, the SoBros Network crew will be going team-by-team through the SEC, previewing the 2018 American tackle football season. Up next, the Alabama Crimson Tide!

2018 Alabama Preview

The reigning National Champions start the season with a quarterback controversy that everyone is talking about. Will it be Tua or Jalen taking the snaps in Week One? My bet: it’ll be both, and one will win the team. My money is on Tua Tagovailoa to be QB1 by the end of the first week.

It’s no surprise that Alabama is loaded with talent. A receiving corps headlined by starting sophomore Jerry Jeudy, a veteran offensive line, and a running back by committee should be enough to put points on the board. Damien Harris splitting carries with Najee Harris, Josh Jacobs, and Brian Robinson should bruise defenses well into the 4th quarter. And I can’t write this preview without mentioning Hal “Vanilla Thunder” Hentges at TE.

On defense, the injury bug has bitten the outside linebacker position. Christopher Allen and Terrell Lewis have both seemingly been lost for the season. Both were expected to see major playing time, with Lewis being a projected starter. Even with the injuries, the front seven will be as formidable as ever. Isaiah Buggs and Raekwon Davis anchor the line while causing nightmares for the rest of the SEC. The secondary will try to replace a lot of star power with mostly unproven talent. It looks to be the weakest link in machine that is Alabama football.

2018 Crimson Tide Schedule

Sept. 1 vs. Louisville (in Orlando) – The Cardinals with Lamar Jackson would be an interesting match up for the Tide. The Cardinals without Jackson is a win for the Tide.

Sept. 8 Arkansas State – A win for the home opener in Bryant-Denny.

Sept. 15 at Ole Miss – TRAP. GAME. Ole Miss always plays Alabama well, but I think the Tide survives.

Sept. 22 Texas A&M – This would be a trap game if it was at A&M and Alabama wasn’t coming off of a scare at Ole Miss. The Tide refocuses and Nick Saban beats yet another former assistant.

Sept. 29 Louisiana-Lafayette – Win. Moving on.

Oct. 6 at Arkansas – The Razorbacks are rebuilding. Could be ugly for Arkansas.

Oct. 13 Missouri Drew Lock will test that young secondary, but the Tigers’ lack of defense lets Alabama score at will.

Oct. 20 at Tennessee – Another rebuild in the East, but not the cakewalk Arkansas will be.

Oct. 27 OPEN DATE

Nov. 3 at LSU – It’s never easy to go to Death Valley, but LSU could struggle this year.

Nov. 10 Mississippi State – After scaring Alabama last year, the Tide has to be happy this one is at home. Alabama survives.

Nov. 17 Citadel – Win.

Nov. 24 Auburn – The Tigers will be the toughest opponent again this season. After unseating the Tide last year, Auburn has to go into Bryant-Denny. Winner goes to Atlanta.

Prediction

As you can see, Alabama is set up for a return to the playoff. The biggest tests will be avoiding trap games early, and taking down Auburn. Most likely, we’re looking at a rematch from last season’s National Championship, only this year it will be for the SEC Championship. As always, it’s National Champions or bust for the Crimson Tide.

Other 2018 SEC Previews

Alabama Crimson Tide
Arkansas Razorbacks
Auburn Tigers
Florida Gators
Georgia Bulldogs
Kentucky Wildcats
LSU Tigers
Mississippi State Bulldogs
Missouri Tigers
Ole Miss Rebels
South Carolina Gamecocks
Tennessee Volunteers
Texas A&M Aggies
Vanderbilt Commodores

Poppa Bear is the Lead SEC Analyst for the SoBros Network, and serves as our resident expert on the human anatomy, fixin’ stuff, and tomatoes. Follow on Twitter:@SoBroPoppaBear

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