Alabama Crimson Tide 2018 Football Preview

Alabama Crimson Tide 2018 Football Preview

Opening Statement: Can we just put all charades aside and agree that Alabama is a shoe in for the so-called playoff every single season until otherwise noted? Alabama slipped into the 4 team "playoff" by way of hard lobbying by Nick Saban last fall, and then the Tide went on to win the thing. It's the most obvious pick every year, and this year is no different.

Breakdown Offense: Saban has an interesting problem to work out in fall camp. With the emergence of Tua Tagovailoa in the second half of the title game, he found a QB who could make all the throws that Jalen Hurts could not make. Jalen Hurts, on the other hand, has an incredible winning resume, and works the offense like a consummate game manager, and does not make a ton of mistakes, which has always been the hallmark of Alabama QBs under Saban. Does Alabama go with the glitz and glamour of Tagovailoa, or do they go with the proven and even keeled Hurts? Either way, Alabama wins, so it is a problem well worth having.
Damien Harris led a deep and talented bunch of RBs last fall with 1000 yards rushing and 11 TDs, as he averaged 7.41 yards per carry. He returns as the lead back this fall, and even though there were some losses at the position, it is no less talented than last fall. Josh Jacobs and Najee Harris should get plenty of opportunities as the RB2 and RB3 on the depth chart as we came out of spring ball. Brian Robinson, a sophomore, will also have some touches, but is working behind a deep group at the position to get carries.
Receiver is a position that was, again, very deep last season, but has suffered a sizable loss. Calvin Ridley is gone, along with his 63 catches, and the next best returning receiver had just 14 receptions. That was Jerry Jeudy, who returns this fall, and he will have the first crack at becoming the new WR1. Henry Ruggs, Jr. and Devonta Smith are both leading for starting jobs at WR, but are just sophomores, and have to prove themselves on the field. Derek Kief and and Xavian Marks are both back as seniors to fill backup roles for now, and RS freshman Tyrell Shavers will start working his way into the rotation as well.
Irv Smith, Jr. and Hale Hentges will both be back at TE, but will likely serve as extra blockers in the run game. Major Tennison, Kedrick James, and Miller Forristall are all there to provide depth.
Alabama will have to find a replacement for Bradley Bozeman at C, but the line is stocked with talent, especially upperclassmen talent. Jonah Williams, a junior, is expected to replace Bozeman at C coming out of spring ball. Senior Lester Cotton is expected to start at RG, while Matt Womack is slated in at RT, and will be a junior in 2018. Ross Pierschbacher is slated in at LG as a senior, while RS sophomore Alex Leatherwood is the youngster of the group. Josh Casher (senior) and Deonte Brown (sophomore) will provide depth inside, while Jedrick Wills and Scott Lashley will try to make themselves heard at OT as reserves. Both are sophomores.

Breakdown Defense: 10 players were drafted from this unit in April, and now depth is coming into play that Saban has built up. Even with so many faces moved on, Alabama still has plenty of weapons to build on.
RS sophomore Quinnen Williams is projected to move up and into the starting NT spot, while Isaiah Buggs and Raekwon Davis are slotted in at DE. Davis has star potential moving forward, and could be the breakout star of the unit. LaBrayan Ray is slotted in as a reserve at DE for now.
Terrell Lewis will be stepping up to start at the JACK position after picking up 16 tackles last season. Dylan Moses will slot into the SLB spot after collecting 30 tackles as a freshman last fall. Mack Wilson will finally get his crack as a junior at MLB, while James Mosley is penciled in at WLB. He finished with just 12 tackles last season. Christian Miller, Joshua McMillon, and Keith Holcombe fill in for depth, while Markail Benton and VanDarius Cowan are third teamers looking for time.
The secondary took huge losses in the draft, and will be looking to rebuild from a talented pool as well. Trevon Diggs will get a shot at one CB spot after finishing with 3 PBUs a year ago, and Saivion Smith is penciled in at the other corner, and will be looking to make a name for himself after being off the grid a year ago. Shyheim Carter and Jared Mayden will be looking to push them in fall camp, with Nigel Knott adding some depth there. Deionte Thompson slots in at SS, while Xavier McKinney left spring with the FS job. Daniel Wright and Keaton Anderson will push at the SS spot in fall camp, while Kyriq McDonald, a RS freshman, will fight for time at FS as well. When employing the STAR position, Carter will be filling that slot.

Breakdown Special Teams: Both PK Andy Pappanastos and Punter JK Scott are gone, and those are big shoes to fill. RS freshman Joseph Bulovas has the edge at PK, while freshman Skyer Delong has the lead at Punter heading into fall camp.
Jared Mayden has the lead to take over PR duties, while Trevon Diggs, who handled PR duties last year, takes over at KR for 2018.

Final Assessment: Alabama will have a fight on their hands with Auburn once again in the SEC West, but there is no doubt that the Tide will push toward 10 wins or more once again in 2018. Although there are some concern areas, such as the entire defense looking for new starters, Alabama and Nick Saban always find ways to reload rather than rebuild, and that should be the case once again. On offense, finding a key replacement for Ridley at WR will be key, but with the talent they have coming back, there is no doubt that the production will be there once again. Look for Alabama to contend once again to play on a key date in January.