OK, it's not anything we didn't know as Bama fans.
But, the write-up offers some interesting views around the NCAA about other programsāand also has some glaring absences.
Southeastern: Alabama's offensive backfield.
Florida is a prohibitive favorite in the SEC East, though the Gators have some questions on the offensive line and at wide receiver, especially if senior Riley Cooper signs a baseball contract. The SEC West is wide open, with Alabama, LSU and Ole Miss legit contenders for the title. The biggest question among those teams looks to be Alabama's offensive backfield. Quarterback John Parker Wilson wasn't necessarily physically gifted, but he didn't make many mistakes last season, when the Tide finished 12-2. Can new starter Greg McElroy also play steady, mistake-free football? The Tide also will have a new starting running back after Glen Coffee left early for the NFL. Mark Ingram was solid as a true freshman last season, and he's a nice blend of speed and power; touted true freshman Trent Richardson also should be in the hunt for carries. Alabama needs Ingram, Richardson and the other running backs to be productive; all it needs from McElroy is to be a game manager. If he can, well, manage that, Alabama likely repeats as division champ.
Atlantic Coast: Virginia Tech's wide receivers.
The Hokies' passing attack last season was, to be kind, pitiful. They threw for 129.1 yards per game (112th nationally), with six TD passes and 12 interceptions. Tyrod Taylor, who tossed two TD passes and seven picks, has the quarterback job to himself this season. Some of the poor passing numbers can be attributed to Taylor, a great athlete who still is developing as a passer. Some also can be attributed to the wide receivers. The top three wide receivers last season were either true or redshirt freshmen, and the Hokies' offense sure needs those guys to have grown up. Tech's running game should be potent, but unless the receivers ā and the passing attack as a whole ā make big strides, way too much pressure again will be placed on the running backs and on the defense.
Click here for a look at a lot of other teams.
But, the write-up offers some interesting views around the NCAA about other programsāand also has some glaring absences.
Southeastern: Alabama's offensive backfield.
Florida is a prohibitive favorite in the SEC East, though the Gators have some questions on the offensive line and at wide receiver, especially if senior Riley Cooper signs a baseball contract. The SEC West is wide open, with Alabama, LSU and Ole Miss legit contenders for the title. The biggest question among those teams looks to be Alabama's offensive backfield. Quarterback John Parker Wilson wasn't necessarily physically gifted, but he didn't make many mistakes last season, when the Tide finished 12-2. Can new starter Greg McElroy also play steady, mistake-free football? The Tide also will have a new starting running back after Glen Coffee left early for the NFL. Mark Ingram was solid as a true freshman last season, and he's a nice blend of speed and power; touted true freshman Trent Richardson also should be in the hunt for carries. Alabama needs Ingram, Richardson and the other running backs to be productive; all it needs from McElroy is to be a game manager. If he can, well, manage that, Alabama likely repeats as division champ.
Atlantic Coast: Virginia Tech's wide receivers.
The Hokies' passing attack last season was, to be kind, pitiful. They threw for 129.1 yards per game (112th nationally), with six TD passes and 12 interceptions. Tyrod Taylor, who tossed two TD passes and seven picks, has the quarterback job to himself this season. Some of the poor passing numbers can be attributed to Taylor, a great athlete who still is developing as a passer. Some also can be attributed to the wide receivers. The top three wide receivers last season were either true or redshirt freshmen, and the Hokies' offense sure needs those guys to have grown up. Tech's running game should be potent, but unless the receivers ā and the passing attack as a whole ā make big strides, way too much pressure again will be placed on the running backs and on the defense.
Click here for a look at a lot of other teams.
