12/8/09
The philosophy that the team finishing the previous regular season with the nation's No. 1 ranking should hold on to the same spot entering the next season is not the reason why Alabama enters 2010 as our team to beat. The reasons have to do with names like McElroy, Ingram, Richardson, Maze, Jones, Carpenter, McClain, Barron and John W. Heisman. This offense has demonstrated a great deal of balance thanks to the guys handling the pigskin. At this late December juncture, McElroy has yet to lose as a starting QB at the high school or college level. It will take a gigantic effort by an opponent to upset this trend. In fact, upwards of three offensive players (McElroy, Ingram and Jones) are legitimate preseason Heisman candidates. Any questions concerning the ability for the Crimson Tide to repeat as the No. 1 team reside on the defensive side as the entire DL gets retooled. There is also concern that one of the nation's premier linebackers, Rolando McClain, is already suited to play at the next level and should make the jump now. However, in the grand scheme of rebuilding, if defense is the biggest question mark in Tuscaloosa for defensive guru Nick Saban, consider the future to be in good hands. The recruiting classes coming in now rival what USC and Florida have been putting together the past five-plus seasons. So no reason exists why the drop-off should be as immense as the names change. Alabama is loaded and doesn't seem to be disappearing from any national championship radar.