College Football Top 25: Alabama Crimson Tide, No. 1
Alabama Crimson Tide [2011: 12-1 (7-1), Beat LSU 21-0 in BCS Title Game]
Four-Year Trend: 2008 (12-2), 2009 (14-0), 2010 (10-3), 2011 (12-1)
Notable Player: D.J. Fluker, OT. Fluker was one of the nation’s top recruits in 2009. He defines “freakish athleticism” at 6’6″ 335lbs. After a redshirt season and two solid ones, Alabama will be looking for Fluker to take that next step in his progression and manhandle SEC linemen at right tackle. An All-American caliber year could see him be chosen in the Top 10 of the NFL Draft.
Top Newcomers: Deion Belue (CB), Landon Collins (S), Eddie Williams (ATH), T.J. Yeldon (RB)
Why We Like Them: Consistent excellence. Nick Saban brings in the nation’s best talent, with four of the past five No. 1 overall recruiting classes. He develops and deploys that talent better than any coach in the country. Despite losing NFL-ready seniors on a yearly basis, the Tide’s stable, self-replicating system rolls on. They have finished in the top six in SRS every year since 2008. Alabama should field another top-five defense and a domineering offensive line anchored by returning All-American Barrett Jones (who may be only the fourth best NFL prospect in that unit). A.J. McCarron returns, as does some depth at running back.
Why We’re Concerned: Alabama must replace six starters on defense, four of them were among the first 35 players picked in the 2012 NFL Draft. That said, the Tide are reloading, not rebuilding. The linebacker corps is rife with underclassmen drawing comparisons to Courtney Upshaw. They have players who can step right up in the secondary. The one sore spot could be defensive tackle, a crucial though unheralded position in Saban’s 3-4 scheme. Alabama lost its experienced tandem from last season. Starter Jesse Williams looks to be an absolute beast, but there is little depth behind him.
Circle This Game: Alabama at LSU [Nov. 3] These teams met in the “Game of the Century” last season followed by the “Rematch of the Century” in the BCS Title Game. Those bored by the defensive standoff could be disappointed. The clash of two defenses could again decide the BCS champion.
Best-Case Scenario: Alabama’s defense transitions seamlessly with new personnel. A.J. McCarron assumes a leadership role. The Tide beat Michigan, win tough road games at LSU and Arkansas, roll through the SEC undefeated and enter the BCS Title Game as favorites.
Worst-Case Scenario: A repeat of 2010. The defense does not entirely gel. The offense suffers without Trent Richardson’s explosiveness. Alabama suffers a rash of injuries and drops a few tough conference games on the road to finish 9-3, and unload on some unfortunate Big Ten team in a second-tier bowl game.
Legacy: Alabama’s 2009 freshmen are playing to become the first four-year class to win three national titles in four years since Notre Dame’s 1946 freshmen.
Projected Bowl: BCS Title Game
[Photo via Presswire]
25. Kansas State 24. Virginia Tech 23. Clemson 22. Boise State 21. Stanford 20. Michigan State 19. Notre Dame 18. Nebraska 17. Oklahoma State 16. Wisconsin15. TCU14. Florida 13. West Virginia 12. Georgia 11. Texas 10. Arkansas 9. Michigan8. Ohio State 7. Florida State 6. South Carolina 5. Oklahoma 4. Oregon 3. LSU 2. USC
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August 31st, 2012 at 1:21 PM
Coop says:
/ Mullet’d
August 31st, 2012 at 1:22 PM
Feels weird to be the biggest Mich fan in the country for a day. I suddenly feel fat and extremely delusional.
August 31st, 2012 at 1:22 PM
You know what I’m looking forward to? Dallas being flooded with two obnoxious fan bases this weekend.
/no I’m not.
August 31st, 2012 at 1:23 PM
Fuck Lady of the Lake.
August 31st, 2012 at 1:24 PM
no team will be more dominant in the trenches this year, but they have a tough schedule.
i’ll predict two losses.
August 31st, 2012 at 1:24 PM
They were still really good in 2010. A couple of horrible plays by Mark Barron in the LSU and Auburn games really cost them.
August 31st, 2012 at 1:25 PM
You know what I’m looking forward to? Dallas being flooded with two obnoxious fan bases this weekend.
because the residents of dallas are such a classy bunch…
August 31st, 2012 at 1:26 PM
Tomorrow night shall be glorious.
August 31st, 2012 at 1:27 PM
I’d probably root for any team in the country vs. Alabama, except Michigan.
August 31st, 2012 at 1:28 PM
Bama’s Oline vs. UM’s Dline. Hmm. Gonna guess this is over by halftime.
August 31st, 2012 at 1:29 PM
because the residents of dallas are such a classy bunch…
Seems like you could make this joke about any city in existence. But at least other cities don’t have to deal with a hoard of out of towners taking up their bars this weekend.
August 31st, 2012 at 1:29 PM
Honestly how much more Cheetos stained could it get?
August 31st, 2012 at 1:30 PM
An All-American caliber year could see him be chosen in the Top 10 of the NFL Draft.
Clicked the link, not an ESPN “insider”
/hangs head
August 31st, 2012 at 1:32 PM
University statement on NCAA role in review of academic issues E-mail
Friday, August 31, 2012
In light of continuing speculation about the role of the NCAA in the review of academic issues in the Department of African and Afro-American Studies, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is providing the following information:
“The University first notified the NCAA that it had identified potential academic issues involving student-athletes in African and Afro-American Studies courses on August 24, 2011. We asked the NCAA to join us in our investigation of these issues, and they agreed to do that. A member of the NCAA enforcement staff traveled to Chapel Hill several times in the fall of 2011 and participated throughout the investigation.
With the NCAA enforcement staff, our internal working group of University Counsel Leslie Strohm, Senior Associate Dean Jonathan Hartlyn, and former faculty athletics representative Jack Evans interviewed faculty and staff in the Department of African and Afro-American Studies, academic support counselors, and student-athletes who had taken multiple courses in the department.
Based on the joint review, UNC and the NCAA staff concluded there were no violations of current NCAA rules or student-athlete eligibility issues related to courses in African and Afro-American Studies. As a result, the NCAA did not add any allegations or include this issue during the University’s appearance in October 2011 before the Committee on Infractions.
College of Arts and Sciences Dean Karen Gil subsequently commissioned a review of courses in African and Afro-American Studies. In May, the University publicly issued that report and provided it to the NCAA.
On Aug. 23, 2012, University Counsel Leslie Strohm and Senior Associate Dean Jonathan Hartlyn provided an update to the enforcement staff. The NCAA staff reaffirmed to University officials that no NCAA rules appeared to have been broken.
University officials will continue to keep the NCAA informed as developments warrant.”
Your move, Detective McIntyre
August 31st, 2012 at 1:33 PM
Honestly how much more Cheetos stained could it get?
I learned recently that there is a name for the Cheetos dust that sticks to your fingers. It’s called cheetle.
August 31st, 2012 at 1:35 PM
I have not seen a single Bammer or UM fan this week.
Last year time time, the town was crawling with fat bastards clad in purple and gold, and one or two Ducks.
August 31st, 2012 at 1:35 PM
Based on the joint review, UNC and the NCAA staff concluded there were no violations of current NCAA rules or student-athlete eligibility issues related to courses in African and Afro-American Studies.
It’s a good thing it wasn’t the NASCAR Studies department or they’d have gotten the death penalty.
August 31st, 2012 at 1:35 PM
It’s a bitch to clean cheetle off your laptop and penis.
August 31st, 2012 at 1:37 PM
/ Team Cheetos
August 31st, 2012 at 1:37 PM
Question: so Tiger is playing well, meaning it’s not the weekend yet. Since this tournament is Fri-Mon, will he start sucking on Saturday, or does his body adjust to start sucking on Sunday and carry that through to Monday.
August 31st, 2012 at 1:37 PM
He defines “freakish athleticism” at 6’6″ 335lbs
So he’s a linguist? That’s interesting.
August 31st, 2012 at 1:38 PM
I’m a Michigan fan, and I know Alabama is going to win, but I still think UM hangs for most of the game. Mostly because Bama is just going to run, which will slow down the game and scoring. Mattison should get a decent performance out of the D-line, but he does have a very experience back 7 to bring pressure with.
August 31st, 2012 at 1:38 PM
/team ruin cheetos for everyone else
August 31st, 2012 at 1:39 PM
I keep hearing this. Does everyone forget AJ McCaron picking apart LSU in the NC?
August 31st, 2012 at 1:39 PM
proud owner in the LCFRL
August 31st, 2012 at 1:41 PM
/ Team Crunchy Cheetos
ahem
August 31st, 2012 at 1:41 PM
Chentorum: When cheeto dust congeals with smegma and jism after a particularly arduous coke wank.
August 31st, 2012 at 1:42 PM
University statement on NCAA role in review of academic issues E-mail
Friday, August 31, 2012
In light of continuing speculation about the role of the NCAA in the review of academic issues in the Department of African and Afro-American Studies, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is providing the following information:
“The University first notified the NCAA that it had identified potential academic issues involving student-athletes in African and Afro-American Studies courses on August 24, 2011. We asked the NCAA to join us in our investigation of these issues, and they agreed to do that. A member of the NCAA enforcement staff traveled to Chapel Hill several times in the fall of 2011 and participated throughout the investigation.
With the NCAA enforcement staff, our internal working group of University Counsel Leslie Strohm, Senior Associate Dean Jonathan Hartlyn, and former faculty athletics representative Jack Evans interviewed faculty and staff in the Department of African and Afro-American Studies, academic support counselors, and student-athletes who had taken multiple courses in the department.
Based on the joint review, UNC and the NCAA staff concluded there were no violations of current NCAA rules or student-athlete eligibility issues related to courses in African and Afro-American Studies. As a result, the NCAA did not add any allegations or include this issue during the University’s appearance in October 2011 before the Committee on Infractions.
College of Arts and Sciences Dean Karen Gil subsequently commissioned a review of courses in African and Afro-American Studies. In May, the University publicly issued that report and provided it to the NCAA.
On Aug. 23, 2012, University Counsel Leslie Strohm and Senior Associate Dean Jonathan Hartlyn provided an update to the enforcement staff. The NCAA staff reaffirmed to University officials that no NCAA rules appeared to have been broken.
University officials will continue to keep the NCAA informed as developments warrant.”
Your move, Detective McIntyre
duckworth’d
August 31st, 2012 at 1:42 PM
So good. Ever put some hot sauce like Cholo on em? Delicious.
August 31st, 2012 at 1:42 PM
I only understand about half the words in that.
August 31st, 2012 at 1:43 PM
I remember it. I also remember that Bama graduated the majority of their receivers. McCaron will still throw the short stuff off of play action, but surprisingly, Michigan really does have a good secondary again. Seeing as Saban is a conservative approach, as long as they are getting over 4 YPC, they won’t stop running. I’m guessing they hit about 4.5 YPC in this game. If Michigan can get to 3.5, I’ll be happy of the job against that line and without the real starting RB.
August 31st, 2012 at 1:44 PM
Puffy Cheetos are more terrible than P. Diddy.
August 31st, 2012 at 1:44 PM
Eddie Lacey averaged 7 yards a carry last year FWIW. He’s pretty good.
August 31st, 2012 at 1:51 PM
Crouton – 7 ypc, yup. have you broken down when those carries came? against whom?
9-161 vs. North Texas
11-96 v Mississippi State
6-45 vs. GA Southern
8-58 v Kent State
against Auburn: 1.5 ypc.
v LSU 3.8 ypc.
v LSU 3.9 ypc
v Ole Miss 4.4 ypc
guy went over 1000 yards and scored 13 TDs … despite his highest carry games being 13, 11, 11, 11. rest single-digit carries
August 31st, 2012 at 1:52 PM
My guess – halftime score 21-6, Bama.
That’s an elite OLine UM’s going against and there’s no Mike Martin to bail them out. Oline’ll be leaning on the Dline all game, forcing 8-9 man fronts leading to easy PA.
August 31st, 2012 at 1:52 PM
I will be you all the money that Lacey falls back to a more reasonable YPC. The starting RB for Alabama is always going to be good, but I’ve got a hunch he isn’t as good as Trent Richardson.
August 31st, 2012 at 1:54 PM
Agree that Michigna is comparable to North Texas
/sorry Spence
August 31st, 2012 at 1:54 PM
Of course he won’t average 7 a carry. No way he’s held to 3.5 though. I think Bama will be throwing the ball a lot more than expected.
August 31st, 2012 at 1:55 PM
Those are all nice numbers, but what about the TV ratings? I need to know if CFB is dying or not.
August 31st, 2012 at 1:56 PM
you ever try Flamin’ Hot Puffs? exquisite.
August 31st, 2012 at 1:58 PM
ROLL TIDE MOTHERFUCKERS
August 31st, 2012 at 2:00 PM
Coop’d?
August 31st, 2012 at 2:00 PM
Huh. Penn State broke no NCAA rules yet here they are effectively without a football program for five years. Seems reasonable.
August 31st, 2012 at 2:04 PM
Throwing against Michigan probably isn’t going to a great idea. Maybe to TE in the flat and underneath, but even that is going to be problematic. Teams weren’t terribly good at throwing against them last year, caveat of OSU aside, and Michigan played against a LOT of good receivers. JT Floyd handled almost all of them.
August 31st, 2012 at 2:07 PM
Agree that the secondary is the strength of Michigan’s D, but i’m gonna bet there’ll be put it a lot of man when Bama get’s its running game going, and therefor succesptible to PA. Bama’ also got an excellent TE.
August 31st, 2012 at 2:14 PM
What are you basing Michael Williams being excellent upon? He was the backup to an above average TE last year. He should be a good TE, but that still doesn’t replace losing the top 3 receiving threats. I just don’t see the passing game as anywhere near the threat of the running game. Michigan limits big plays by having good cover corners and a smart free safety. That is why Kovacs can roll up into the box so often to provide run support and another guy for Mattison to call a blitz for.
August 31st, 2012 at 2:18 PM
There wasn’t freshmen eligibility back then, was there? Haven’t researched it, but has any player ever won 3 championships in 4 years? Or three championships, total?
August 31st, 2012 at 2:19 PM
I havent
/ROLLMOTHERFUCKINTIDE
August 31st, 2012 at 2:19 PM
Haven’t researched it, but has any player ever won 3 championships in 4 years? Or three championships, total?
Bama’s claimed 57, so I’m sure there are some 3 in a row ones in there somewhere
August 31st, 2012 at 2:20 PM
Alright, enjoy the football. Time to head to a state park and get really drunk.
August 31st, 2012 at 2:21 PM
Boooooooooooooooo. Booooooooooooooo.
August 31st, 2012 at 2:22 PM
I choose only to remember AJ as a sad little QB in 2010, getting subbed into the game when T’Sharvan Bell sent little Gregory McElroy to Concussion Land.
August 31st, 2012 at 2:22 PM
Time to head to a state park and get really drunk.
/patriotic
//adds hot dogs, flags, and USA jean jacket
///patriotic Merica’d
August 31st, 2012 at 2:30 PM
Now, just stop it.
/remembers hearing that game on the radio and announcer saying McElroy got crushed and couldn’t get up.
//and McCarron throwing I believe 3 or 4 incomplete passes to end the game.
///With GloriousMullet, Roll Mutha Fockin Tide
August 31st, 2012 at 2:31 PM
h-town, if you consider redshirts, or fifth-year seniors, eligibility granted because of injury, i bet some player(s) have won four, but not in fb
August 31st, 2012 at 2:33 PM
rittyrich, fulfilling the membership duties
in other news, jon lovitz will be on The Score 670AM at 2C or so
hachi machi!
August 31st, 2012 at 2:38 PM
Wooooo Pig Sooiiee!!
August 31st, 2012 at 2:40 PM
I think me and Caribou just made best friends
August 31st, 2012 at 2:43 PM
I think me and Caribou just made best friends
And immediate enemies to the death with me
/stands ground
//raises fists
///sees bigger, stronger, faster
////runs
August 31st, 2012 at 3:03 PM
Plenty of people have won 4 in other sports (for example, I think USC has now won 4 straight men’s tennis championships and I think Daniel Nguyen was on all 4 teams), but I can’t think of a 3 time football winner.
August 31st, 2012 at 3:16 PM
does Nebraska ’94-’97 not count b/c their last title was shared?
August 31st, 2012 at 3:20 PM
undisputed or gtfo