Alabama Crimson Tide Looks to Own the SEC Again in 2018

Alabama Crimson Tide Looks to Own the SEC Again in 2018

Written by on June 22, 2018

The Alabama Crimson Tide beat Georgia for the 2018 College Football National Championship. The Tide head into the 2018-2019 College Football Season as a huge +180 favorite to win the top prize in college football. What are Alabama’s chances of truly repeating? Below, I break down the 2018-2019 Alabama Crimson Tide.

Alabama Crimson Tide Looks to Own the SEC Again in 2018

Alabama is the most dominant team in college football history. No team has won as many National Championships as Bama. The Crimson Tide has taken down a ridiculous 16 national titles. They’ll look to take down their 17th this year. Check out Bama’s offense, defense, and strength of schedule.

Alabama Offense

Alabama’s offense starts with a two-headed monster at QB. Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa are both capable starters at the college level. Tagovailoa is the favorite to get the nod over Hurts. That might not mean anything. Hurts has a lot of ability. Coach Nick Saban knows this. He’ll play both during the regular season. Bama always relies on a strong rushing attack. The rushing game is likely to fall onto the shoulders of sophomore Najee Harris. Harris had a breakout game versus a tough Georgia defense in the National Championship. He rushed for 64 yards on only 6 carries. Replacing Round 1 NFL pick wide receiver Calvin Ridley won’t be easy. Ridley was as solid of a WR as Alabama’s ever had. He wasn’t as flashy as Julio Jones and Amari Cooper. He was ultra-effective, though. Devonta Smith, who caught the National Championship winning pass from Tagovailoa figures to get his number called the most.

Alabama Defense

Are the Crimson TIde a safe bet to win this 2018 season? Coach Nick Saban knows that the Bama defense lost a ton from last season’s championship squad. Saban must manage without Da’Ron Payne on the defensive line. Things might not be as bad as it first appears. Raekwon Davis is a solid DE. So is Isaiah Buggs. The linebackers, like always, will be great. Terrell Lewis Anfernee Jennings, and Christian Miller are solid. The key will be the play of freshman cornerback Patrick Surtain Jr. and the corner on the other side, Saivion Smith. Smith heads to Bama after playing at LSU. That means he should have his corner technique down pat.

Alabama’s Schedule

For one of the best teams, if not the best, in the nation the Crimson Tide sure has a cupcake out of conference schedule. You’d expect that because Alabama must battle SEC foes LSU, Ole Miss, Auburn, Mississippi State, Missouri and Arkansas. The key for Bama will be, like it always is, the Iron Bowl versus rival Auburn on Nov. 24. Auburn beat Bama last season. Alabama figures to take down Auburn this season because the game is in Tuscaloosa.

2018 Schedule for Alabama Crimson Tide

  • Saturday, September 1st vs Louisville. 8pm ET. ABC.
  • Saturday, September 8th vs Arkansas State. 3:30pm ET. ESPN2.
  • Saturday, September 15th @ Ole Miss. 7pm ET. ESPN.
  • Saturday, September 22nd vs Texas A&M. TBD.
  • Saturday, September 29th vs Louisiana. TBD.
  • Saturday, October 6th @ Arkansas. TBD.
  • Saturday, October 13th vs Missouri. TBD.
  • Saturday, October 20th @ Tennessee. TBD.
  • Saturday, November 3rd @ LSU. TBD.
  • Saturday, November 10th vs Mississippi State. TBD.
  • Saturday, November 17th vs The Citadel. TBD.
  • Saturday, November 24th vs Auburn. TBD.

SEC Prediction:  1st in the SEC

There’s no team in the SEC that can handle the Alabama Crimson Tide. Unless the defense truly doesn’t return to glory, Nick Saban should win another SEC Championship.

Overall Prediction:  College Football National Champions

Alabama is too strong in every area not to win the College Football Playoff again. The team has a strong offensive line, two of the better quarterbacks in college football, a devastating defense on paper, and the greatest college football coach of all time in Nick Saban.