Alabama Crimson Tide Betting – 2011 Alabama College Football Season Preview
Rare is the program that can lose a savvy starting quarterback, an All-American wide receiver and a Heisman Trophy winning tailback then actually improve. Alabama is such an anomaly. Say what you will about Nick Saban, and his detractors certainly have, but the man knows how to win and make a sports bet look good. He elevated UA football back to the top tier of college football almost immediately after becoming its head coach. After his worst season since his 2007 debut – a season in which he won 10 games -- Saban’s team is primed for a title run.
Defense wins championships, or so goes the cliché, and not coincidentally the Crimson Tide is a preseason favorite to compete for the BCS championship. UA allowed just 13.5 points per game and has the firepower to actually improve upon that. The cache of experienced talent returning on that side of the ball is as impressive as any defense in recent seasons. Tackle leader Mark Barron, sack leader Courtney Upshaw, interceptions leader Robert Lester: all will don the crimson once more.
The offense is less of a certainty given the aforementioned departures. Mark Ingram and Julio Jones form a talented pair that’s hard to replace, and Greg McElroy was a steady presence under center the last two seasons. The quarterback situation is unclear as Phillip Sims and A.J. McCarron jockey for honors. McCarron threw three touchdown passes last season, but Sims exhibited his talents in spring practice.
Replacing Ingram is less of a question mark. Trent Richardson has star quality and should flourish as the top option, with Eddie Lacy supplementing the ground game. Even MLB baseball betting gurus know that Bama will be strong in the offensive backfield.
Looking at the Tide’s schedule, it’s always an event when Alabama and LSU square off. The program Saban led to a 2003 BCS championship, the coach’s first, will also be his stiffest challenge on the road to championship number three. The Bayou Bengals bested Bama a season ago the only way a Les Miles-coached team knows how – with a fourth quarter rally.
Last season’s matchup was in Baton Rouge though, and this time around the Tigers must come to Bryant-Denny Stadium. The winner of this tilt between defensive juggernauts should determine the SEC West representative in the conference’s championship game… and, if recent precedent holds true, the BCS title game as well.
In sizing up Bama’s roster, one could tack names to a dartboard, throw, and choose at random a pro prospect from this roster, but free safety Robert Lester may stand out from an illustrious crowd for sports betting analysts. Lester emerged in his first season as a regular contributor to intercept eight passes, more than anyone in college football but Virginia Tech’s Jayron Hosley. Lester also deflected 12 passes, and made 52 tackles.
In conclusion, the SEC West is a minefield of four teams beside Alabama capable of winning nine-plus games. Arkansas, Mississippi State, Auburn and of course LSU will all pose legitimate threats to the Tide’s championship candidacy. Add a September road trip to face a much-improved Penn State, and UA will have to truly earn a January ticket to New Orleans.
