Yes, yes…we know the knocks on ‘Bama and their offense. Whereas Brodie Croyle took the Crimson Tide to places (9-0 to start ’05) not seen since 1994, he also proved to be a liability in their losses when his team needed him most (11 sacks vs. Auburn, threw for under 50% vs. LSU). Enter John Wilson Parker, a local (Hoover) dart thrower who set state records in prep and is the promise of things to come. Parker is the only major cog that changes on offense, and with what their young line did in overachieving this past campaign, there will be a new dawn in Tuscaloosa - scoring at will instead of scoring to pad the D. Which bring us to those ball-stopping eleven that have terrorized the SEC for three stingy years. Seven starters depart, and only the front seven looks like it can return to form. The talent is there at DB, but unproven is not a good word when prognosticating. This new defense will have to prove it is anywhere close to its predecessor before either rankings or foes reflect respect. But historically, the Tide have done more with less, so watch out. Can the Tide roll through Gainesville, Knoxville and Baton Rouge? At least the Iron Bowl is at home, but 1-5 in their past six vs. AU means going 0-10 but winning against their in-state nemesis would be just fine. Lots of fresh question marks by which we can judge Mikey Shula…