While there are still quite a few undefeated schools at this midpoint of the college football season, there is one college that stands out above all others: Alabama. The Crimson Tide has won the last two BCS National Championships and seems just as capable of winning it again this year. While some people predicted that the team would suffer after losing 9 key players in the NFL Draft, including most of its offensive line, the team continues to move forward with big wins.
Although Alabama plays in the dreaded SEC, its schedule seems pretty soft. If they can win a major showdown against LSU in a couple of weeks and win the SEC Championship in December, Alabama will likely head to another BCS national title game. And who would be talented enough to stop this team from a third straight title?
Oregon seems capable offensively, but everyone knows what normally happens when faced with legitimate SEC defense. Clemson is a strong team, but we have all witnessed their slip-ups against the smaller colleges. Ohio State may also return to the title game, although I still don’t see them as really capable of beating Crimson Tide. Nick Saban has instituted an unstoppable program.
Losing leading running back Eddie Lacy was supposed to cause a disruption to the team’s offense. Enter TJ Yeldon, Kenyan Drake, and Jalston Fowler. The defensive backfield was supposed to become problematic after Dee Milliner’s departure to the NFL. Well now safety Vinnie Sunseri sparks fear in opposing quarterbacks, having returned 2 interceptions for touchdowns, including a decider from Johnny Manziel.
The team simply recharges each year, and its coaches train each recruit to the best of their abilities, making Alabama the most fearsome and talented college football team in America. And after so much success, teams now legitimately fear this team, further increasing their strength. They play with confidence and dominance, and they haven’t been challenged since their thriller against Texas A&M.
Looking ahead, his schedule is pretty smooth. Perhaps the game at Auburn to close the season could be a potential slip, but I would be very surprised.
Another factor in the team’s favor is the leadership under senior quarterback AJ McCarron. While some critics point to the fact that the talent around him increases his stats, McCarron has done everything that has been asked of him and makes very few mistakes. He can throw all the necessary pitches and he will surely be given a shot in the NFL.
So, I really don’t think anyone will be able to dethrone Alabama this year. But it could be wrong. College football is all about strange surprises, and the team could even fall in Arkansas this week. But this is where Saban’s training comes in. Alabama players always come to games focused and ready to win, no matter who the opponent is. They never seem to bump into the teams they should beat, and their success is due to this intensity. Something tells me that Alabama could be holding another National Championship at the end of this season once again.