2009 Alabama College Football Predictions
Written by InfoPlays
After back-to-back recruiting classes that ranked at or near the top in the nation, the Alabama Crimson Tide are deeper than ever heading into the 2009 season. The schedule is favorable. A strong running game will be the key in their success offensively, and if they can establish that it will easy the transition of new QB Greg McElroy. Alabama could do exactly what it did last year, which is reach the SEC title game. Except this time around they won’t be sneaking up on any opponents. If you bet on college football and want to take Alabama to win the 2010 NCAA Championship, you can get them at +1800 at BetUS right now.
Offense: Greg McElroy waited for three years under John Parker Wilson. That patience paid off, as he clearly emerged from spring practice as the starting quarterback. McElroy isn’t as big or as physical as Wilson, nor does he have the same arm strength, but he knows how to manage the game and might have a little better touch on the deep ball. That should come in handy with a receiving corps that includes Julio Jones, Marquis Maze, Darius Hanks, Mike McCoy and tight end Colin Peek. Jones is an absolute stud. He has a big body which makes him unafraid to go over the meddle, but he also has the speed to run a short route into a long gain. Maze, who is the fasted player on the team, is a legit deep threat who should take some of the defensive pressure off of Jones.
It’s not as if Nick Saban is about to turn this team into a pass-happy offense. He’d like to establish the same kind of ball control he did last season. Incoming freshman Trent Richardson, who was one of the most sought-after backs in the country, needs to step into a role held by last year’s leading rusher, Glen Coffee. Mark Ingram set the freshman record with 12 rushing touchdowns last season, and will compete with Richardson for the starting job. Replacing a veteran line will be the team’s biggest question mark. All-American left tackle Andre Smith is gone. Ju-Co transfer James Carpenter emerged as the front-runner at this spot in the spring, although huge freshman D.J. Fluker could step in immediately the way Smith did as a freshman three years ago. Get a $500 match bonus when you sign up for a new account with BetUS.com, deposit at least $500, and tell them BetFirms sent you!
Defense: It’s always nice to be anchored by two potential first-round NFL draft choices on the defensive side of the ball. Nose tackle Terrance Cody and linebacker Rolando McClain lead the way to a front seven that is big, athletic and experienced. The second unit might be even more athletic. Sophomore Don’t’a Hightower starts at inside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme but he’ll drop down to end as a pass rusher in obvious passing situations. He has the speed to cover receivers 25 yards down the field as well.
Kareen Jackson, Javier Arenas and Justin Woodall are all returning starters in the secondary. Mark Barron was expected to replace last year’s leader, Rashad Johnson, but sophomore Robby Green emerged in the spring to challenge for at least one safety spot. Saban loves to use nickel and dime packages, so there should be plenty of playing time for these defensive backs. They’ll have their hands full trying to hold off incoming freshmen Dre Kirkpatrick and Nico Johnson.
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