2010 College Football Preview: #1 Alabama Crimson Tide
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.
OFFENSE - 8 ———RETURNING STARTERS——— DEFENSE - 3 KEY LOSSES OFFENSE: Roy Upchurch-RB, Colin Peek-TE, Mike Johnson-OG, Drew Davis-OT, Leigh Tiffin-K DEFENSE: Lorenzo Washington-DE, Terrence Cody-NT, Brandon Deaderick-DE, Cory Reamer-SLB, Eryk Anders-JACK, Javier Arenas-CB, Marquis Johnson-CB, Justin Woodall-FS, P.J. Fitzgerald-P, Kareem Jackson-CB (NFL), Rolando McClain-MLB (NFL)ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE
2010 SCHEDULE
September 4th San Jose State Spartans
September 11th Penn State Nittany Lions
September 18th at Duke Blue Devils
September 25th at Arkansas Razorbacks
October 2nd Florida Gators
October 9th at South Carolina Gamecocks
October 16th Ole Miss Rebels
October 23th at Tennessee Vols
November 6th at LSU Tigers
November 13th Mississippi State Bulldogs
November 20th Georgia State Panthers
November 26th Auburn Tigers - Iron Bowl
Offensive Skill Positions
The offensive skill people are the sole reason why Alabama will likely enter 2010 as the nation’s top team. They will all be veterans garnering tons of big time experience. Oh yea, and a Heisman winner too.
Defensive Line / Cornerback
The entire DL gets retooled. Coach Nick Saban knows how to manage this side of things. It’s not like he’s short on able bodies in the coffers, but there will be a drop-off up front. Both of the cornerbacks are headed off to the NFL.
* DEPTH CHARTS were only designed as a simplistic gauge for listing players that departed and players that received the most playing experience (consistent starters). NationalChamps.net recognizes the importance of missing personnel data not listed such as redshirts, transfers, injuries, incoming recruits, back ups and alternates. Their coverage will begin with our full 2010 Preseason Preview due out this coming spring.
ALABAMA 2010 DEPTH CHARTReturning Starters/Key Players OFFENSE QB Greg McElroy-Sr Star Jackson-So RB Mark Ingram-Jr Trent Richardson-So HB Preston Dial-Sr Brad Smelley-Jr WR Marquis Maze-Jr Darius Hanks-Sr WR Julio Jones-Jr Earl Alexander-Sr TE Michael Williams-So .. OT James Carpenter-Sr .. OG .. .. C William Vlachos-Jr .. OG Barrett Jones-So .. OT .. .. K .. .. ALABAMA 2010 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key Players DEFENSE DE Luther Davis-Sr .. NT Josh Chapman-Jr .. DE Marcell Dareus-Jr .. SLB .. .. MLB .. Chris Jordan-Jr WLB Dont’a Hightower-So Nico Johnson-So JACK Courtney Upshaw-Jr .. CB .. .. CB .. .. SS Mark Barron-Jr .. FS Robby Green-Jr .. P ..
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