Over the course of the next several weeks, the SoBros Network crew will be going team-by-team through the SEC, previewing the upcoming American tackle football season. Up first, the 2019 Alabama preview!
2019 Alabama Preview
For fans of the Alabama Crimson Tide, this offseason has felt a little different – all this time, and 44-16 still stings. That 2018 team fielded the best offense in program history. The regular season was a cakewalk, and while it took a heroic performance to come back and win the SEC Championship against Georgia, the playoff win over Oklahoma felt comfortable, too. Then, the Clemson Tigers came out and absolutely dusted Alabama in the National Championship.
It marked a very bitter end for a team that was supposed to be one of college football’s all time greats. Now, Nick Saban and his team have to reset and refocus on getting back to championship standards.
One of the biggest storylines to come out of the 2018 National Championship (other than “Clemson is the new Alabama”) was the insane amount of turnover on Saban’s staff. It was an unprecedented exodus, leaving Saban with numerous holes to fill. When you factor in guys like Dan Enos making lateral moves, you can’t help but wonder if the wear and tear Saban puts on his guys is finally catching up with him.
Nonetheless, Saban had a job to do and he elected to replenish his staff with experienced guys who’ve worked with him before – Steve Sarkisian, Sal Sunseri, hell, even Major Applewhite as an offensive analyst. It’s about getting back to basics – gaining some experience, and crossing your fingers that guys aren’t there just to further their own career, but to do something special instead.
A lot of the 2019 Tide team’s success will hinge upon that.
On the field, Tua Tagovailoa returns to serve as the key cog in the Alabama offense, one that should continue to be among the best in program history. Najee Harris and Brian Robinson, Jr. have to step up in the backfield after losing Damien Harris and Josh Jacobs to the NFL. But, that talented receiving corps remains intact. There will be shuffling along the offensive line, so that makes for one area of concern. Overall, there shouldn’t be much stopping this unit from being dominant again in 2019.
The defense may be a different story – it’s Raekwon Davis, Dylan Moses, and then everyone else when it comes to the front seven. Once again, the Tide defense was absolutely depleted by the NFL Draft, something it feels like we’re saying every single year. Patrick Surtain II and Trevon Diggs are back and should make for one of the nation’s best cornerback pairings. But, is it going to be enough to make for another elite Tide defense?
You hate to put an entire season on one game, but it definitely feels like catching Clemson is the mission for 2019. Avenging that gross loss from January 2019 and returning to championship glory, proving to the skeptics that the dynasty isn’t quite ready to conclude.
2019 Crimson Tide Schedule
8/31 vs. Duke (Atlanta, GA) – No Daniel Jones, and David Cutcliffe has to field the first opponent for Saban after that beatdown in the National Championship? Poor Duke.
9/7 vs. New Mexico State – A glorified preseason game for the Tide, this one’s nothing more than a pay day for the Aggies.
9/14 @ South Carolina – I’m already having flashbacks to 2010. This is a game the Tide should win easily, but you know what…the Gamecocks have a lot of starters returning on both sides of the ball and if Jake Bentley can take the next step, he’d be an elite quarterback. Who knows? Anything can happen. I’d be a tad nervous about this one.
9/21 vs. Southern Miss – This could be a bit of a breakout season for Southern Miss in C-USA. Unfortunately for them, Alabama is an overwhelming step up in competition.
9/28 vs. Ole Miss – A lot of talent lost to the NFL, Matt Luke has two new coordinators….you’re asking a lot if you want things to come together quickly enough for the Rebels to take down Alabama in September.
10/12 @ Texas A&M – Given the contract he has, there’s going to be some pressure on Jimbo Fisher this season. I like what he’s done with the Aggies program and could see this as a potential slip-up for the Tide.
10/19 vs. Tennessee – The Vols are going to be better in 2019, but they’re still not ready to contend with the Alabamas and Georgias of the world. The focus for Tennessee this year is going to be going 4-0 non-conference and getting back to a bowl game.
10/26 vs. Arkansas – Man, I feel bad for Chad Morris. There’s real potential in Arkansas, but unfortunately, the Razorbacks play in the SEC West. 2-10 last season….man….it would take a hell of a leap for this team to come back and beat the Tide in 2019.
11/9 vs LSU – The Tigers look like they’re going to be really good in 2019. Having this game in Tuscaloosa is huge, as we all know how difficult it is to win in Death Valley. This Tigers offense is going to be deep and experienced. Don’t be surprised to see LSU steal the SEC West from Alabama this year.
11/16 @ Mississippi State – The Bulldogs gave Alabama its toughest game of the regular season last season. I love what Joe Moorhead is doing down there, and even though they lost some real talent on defense, it should be another legit unit. Don’t be surprised to see this one played more competitively than expected, but I still don’t think the Bulldogs are ready to take down the Tide.
11/23 vs. Western Carolina – Nothing more than a tune-up for the Iron Bowl. Thank u, next.
11/30 @ Auburn – There’s a chance the Tigers are out of the CFP race by Week 3! So much of their success is going to depend upon what they do at quarterback this season. Otherwise, this is a roster loaded with potential. You always throw out the records in the Iron Bowl, but going down on Tiger territory means this one could be a battle for the Tide.
Prediction
People have said “the dynasty is over” after that ugly loss in the championship game, but with a schedule like this, I just don’t see it. The Tide is going to have its sights set on another College Football Playoff run. I don’t see a whole lot of serious competition on this slate of games outside of Texas A&M, LSU, and Auburn. If they can get back to Atlanta, this should be another season that sees the Tide in contention in January.
That said, it’s about executing. The offense should be fine, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t at least a little bit concerned about the lack of depth on defense and the uncertainty along the offensive line. I said it last year, and I think it’s true this year as well. If this team slips up, even just once, I don’t know that they get into the tournament come season’s end.
If they can get past that road trip to Texas A&M in October and the Iron Bowl in Auburn, they’ll have a good shot at winning the SEC and making another run at a title. Most of their success will depend on the coaching staff stabilizing the program and getting creative with ways to address depth issues.
Other 2019 SEC Season Previews
Coming soon
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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