Alabama Crimson Tide 2018 - NCAAF Season Preview & Future Odds Predictions

By: Admin |

Last Updated: 08/21/2019 at 10:06 AM ET

Defending national champions the Alabama Crimson Tide are the preseason favorite to repeat for many college football odds makers. Although the Crimson Tide lost 12 players to the 2018 NFL draft and 11 starters they are considered the team to beat thanks to the excellent recruiting staff coach Nick Saban has. Last season, Alabama was 13-1 overall and 7-1 in the SEC. Although the headlines will be focused on the team’s quarterback competition, the defense is still up in the air, but not for lack of talent. They are ranked as the preseason favorite by most sportsbooks and the favorite to win the SEC title.
The rest of Alabama’s offense will be overlooked by many due to the quarterback competition that will take place during fall preseason camp between last year’s starter Jalen Hurts and National Championship Game hero Tua Tagovailoa. However, Saban is less worried about this side of the ball than he is his defense since many of the important pieces of last year’s national title team are returning. Four of the starting five offensive linemen return as well as both of the tight ends.

Damien Harris will be the top rusher for the third straight season and will have Najee Harris, Brian Robinson and Josh Jacobs to share playing time. Calvin Ridley is gone at wide receiver and his 63 receptions were almost 31% of the team total from last season. However, Jerry Jeudy had 14 receptions and should step in as the No. 1 receiver, while DeVonta Smith will also be a target downfield. Look for both Hale Hentges and Irv Smith Jr., the two top returning tight ends, to be a bigger part of this season’s passing game.
Big holes needed to be filled across the board defensively. On the defensive line Isaiah Buggs and Raekwon Davis both return at the ends. However, up the middle at least four players will be juggled in and out until the right match is found. The outside linebackers will be the defense’s strength with Anfernee Jennings, Christian Miller and Terrell Lewis all being important pieces. In the middle will be Dylan Moses and Mack Wilson, with both missing time last season with injuries.

The secondary will be Saban and his coaches’ biggest challenge. Both cornerbacks as well as the two best safeties are no longer with the team. The most experienced back returning is Deionte Thompson who started in the playoffs last season due to Hootie Jones being injury. Freshmen Patrick Surtain Jr. and transfer Saivion Smith will play from the start.

Odds makers have the over/under win total for Alabama at 10.5. While the Tide has won more than 10 games each season since 2010, this season might not be as easy, with a November run of LSU, Mississippi State and Auburn. However, Saban and coaches will have plenty of time to prepare for November three-game challenge and will likely finish the regular season 11-1 and play in the SEC title game.

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