🏈 Athlon's early top 25 list for 2014 has both Alabama, Auburn in the top 3

[BAMANEWSBOT]

"Alabama has a slight edge over Auburn for the top spot in the SEC West in our pre-spring predictions."



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"A two-game losing streak to end the season should provide plenty of motivation for Nick Saban in 2014. And Saban has already taken steps to prevent another repeat of 2013, as he made a few changes to his coaching staff, including hiring Lane Kiffin as offensive coordinator and returning Kevin Steele to a position coach. Kiffin's top priority in spring practice will be to develop a new starting quarterback. The race to replace AJ McCarron is wide open, with Blake Sims, Alec Morris, Cooper Bateman, Parker McLeod and incoming freshman David Cornwell each having an opportunity to win the job. And regardless of who wins the job in the spring, the job may not be settled into the fall, especially if Florida State quarterback Jacob Coker transfers to Alabama. Until a quarterback is found, the offense can lean on the one-two punch of T.J. Yeldon and Derrick Henry on the ground. Saban and coordinator Kirby Smart will once again develop one of the SEC's top defenses. But this unit will have concerns to address, starting with replacing linebacker C.J. Mosley and safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. The Crimson Tide also needs to develop more depth and talent at cornerback."

Alabama and Auburn are the only SEC teams in the top 10, but Georgia (No. 11), South Carolina (No. 12) and LSU (No. 13), Missouri (No. 15), Ole Miss (No. 19) and Texas A&M (No. 22) all make the top 25.

For the complete top 25 and why the teams were selected, check out AthlonSports.com.

 

[bamaraider]

Not so sure about us being in the top 3. Potential is there, but I'd put us around the 6-9 spot based solely on inexperience at important spots.

 

[silvermetalflake]

Not so sure about us being in the top 3. Potential is there, but I'd put us around the 6-9 spot based solely on inexperience at important spots.

Agreed. And not only for the inexperience standpoint, but just so we can climb and earn one of the top spots instead of defending it from week one. So stressful.:tongue-new:

 

[PhillyGirl]

Not so sure about us being in the top 3. Potential is there, but I'd put us around the 6-9 spot based solely on inexperience at important spots.

100% agree with this.

 

[TerryP]

Not so sure about us being in the top 3. Potential is there, but I'd put us around the 6-9 spot based solely on inexperience at important spots.

Far be it from me to defend Athlon, but in this case I can see what they're thinking.

Oregon replaces more than we do on defense, people have a mistrust of what OU will do based on their recent past, Ohio State didn't have much of a defense in 2013 and that's weighed against who they played...

With Bama, they do see replacing AJ as important. It's easy to say the team will adjust, as will the new QB, due to the talent surrounding him.

There's an argument to be made for just about every team from #2 down to #6 or #7 as being the second best team in the country.

(As I'm sure you've noticed, the Ducks and Sparty meet at the beginning of September next season...that'll settle that issue, somewhat.)

 

[Bamabww]

Just so we finish in the top 4. That's what all of us want to begin and then win two more.

 

[bamaraider]

Far be it from me to defend Athlon, but in this case I can see what they're thinking.

Oregon replaces more than we do on defense, people have a mistrust of what OU will do based on their recent past, Ohio State didn't have much of a defense in 2013 and that's weighed against who they played...

With Bama, they do see replacing AJ as important. It's easy to say the team will adjust, as will the new QB, due to the talent surrounding him.

There's an argument to be made for just about every team from #2 down to #6 or #7 as being the second best team in the country.

(As I'm sure you've noticed, the Ducks and Sparty meet at the beginning of September next season...that'll settle that issue, somewhat.)

I had no idea about that. That's a damn good match-up.