Even with losing All-American pieces on defense and guys like Calvin Ridley and Bo Scarbrough on offense to the National Football League, media personnel still believe the University of Alabama will have no problem returning to the College Football Playoff.
Since its origin in 2014, the Crimson Tide has been the lone school chosen for the playoff in its first four years. After winning last season’s national title versus Georgia, Athlon Sports has Nick Saban’s group as its top-ranked team in the top-25 heading into the 2018 season.
Not having Da’Ron Payne at defensive tackle hurts, but Raekwon Davis and Isaiah Buggs will secure the front line at both end spots. Rising junior Lyndell “Mack” Wilson and sophomore Dylan Moses are expected to have a monster season at inside linebacker, while Anfernee Jennings, Christian Miller, Terrell Lewis, Jamey Mosley and Chris Allen pressure quarterbacks.
Defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi has a lot of young talent to coach up in the secondary, however, the returns of Deionte Thompson, Trevon Diggs, Shyheim Carter, Xavier McKinney and Jared Mayden to the roster bodes well for him. Also, seeing the production from Saivion Smith (junior college transfer) in spring and the arrivals of three freshmen in the summer – Josh Jobe, Patrick Surtain and Jalyn Armour-Davis – has the defensive backfield in good position.
The conversation at quarterback between Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa could very well solve itself, but the pieces around both guys is what makes Alabama’s offense dangerous.
With a stacked backfield, talented receivers and an offensive line that is improving, the combination of offensive coordinator Michael Locksley and quarterbacks coach Dan Enos may take this unit to the next level in terms of consistency where being explosive is concerned.
Despite losing to Auburn and escaping Mississippi State in 2017, the Crimson Tide will face both institutions at Bryant-Denny Stadium next season. Four of its conference matchups will be on the road, but a focused bunch under Saban should be able to get back to a national title game.
The last time the Tide won back-to-back titles was in 2011-12.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
