1. Area of concern
Two teams on the regular season schedule can upset the Tide: Texas A&M and LSU, not to mention a worthy opponent in the SEC Championship Game. If youāre looking for one matchup to exploit against Alabama, itās the secondary. With Dee Milliner and Robert Lester now gone, Deion Belue and HaHa Clinton-Dix emerge as the two best in the secondary. But replacing Lester and Milliner could be difficult. Corners John Fulton and Geno Smith look the part, and Vinnie Sunseri and Landon Collins do, too. Johnny Manziel and Zach Mettenberger can both exploit the secondary if given time. Thatās not to say they will, but corner is the Tideās weakest position entering 2013. Iām not buying all the Belue hype yet, and replacing Milliner could be trouble. However, the secondary is Nick Sabanās baby, and he has more than enough talent and depth to fill both positions.
2. AJ and legacy
AJ McCarronās main agenda at SEC Media Days was to make sure everyone knows heās the anti-Manziel, in a very polite manner. Although theyāre close, heās the antithesis of Manziel. Heās all about winning and not about himself. Heās Alabamaās focused and poised leader Nick Saban knows he can trust and can ultimately gel a unit for a greater accomplishment. McCarron will go down as Alabamaās best quarterback ever, and Iām sure thatās fine with McCarron as long as winning is part of the recipe.
3. No. 2
Whoās going to become Bamaās No. 2 RB to share carries with TJ Yeldon? Thereās a slew of talented rock toters already assembled. Kenyan Drake, Jalston Fowler, Derrick Henry, Dee Hart, Tyren Jones, Alvin Kamara and Altee Tenpenny. Thatās a stacked and loaded depth chart with not enough carries to go around. The one guy to look for here is Henry. Heās a mountain of a young man at 6-3, 245 pounds, and the early enrollee is already familiar with the offense and physically ready to compete now. Drake will also work into the rotation. All combine to help keep Yeldon healthy and physically rested.
4. Staff
Nick Saban has primarily held his staff together throughout his tenure. But the one assistant who is likely to take another head coaching position isnāt Kirby Smart. Itās offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier. He led the Tide offense to new heights in 2012, averaging a Saban-era high 38.71 points per game. Nussmeier is innovative, and heās a better offensive mind than most think. Heās a future head coach.
SDS takeaway: The Tide enter as the favorite to play for and win their third national championship in a row. If that happens, how will AJ McCarron and Nick Sabanās legacies play out? Saban has already topped the Bear, and would that move McCarron into the realm or make him better than BCS greats Cam Newton, Tim Tebow, etc.? While Texas A&M and LSU will scare folks, the Tide should roll in 2013.
http://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/2013/whats-going-to-stop-alabama-2013/
Two teams on the regular season schedule can upset the Tide: Texas A&M and LSU, not to mention a worthy opponent in the SEC Championship Game. If youāre looking for one matchup to exploit against Alabama, itās the secondary. With Dee Milliner and Robert Lester now gone, Deion Belue and HaHa Clinton-Dix emerge as the two best in the secondary. But replacing Lester and Milliner could be difficult. Corners John Fulton and Geno Smith look the part, and Vinnie Sunseri and Landon Collins do, too. Johnny Manziel and Zach Mettenberger can both exploit the secondary if given time. Thatās not to say they will, but corner is the Tideās weakest position entering 2013. Iām not buying all the Belue hype yet, and replacing Milliner could be trouble. However, the secondary is Nick Sabanās baby, and he has more than enough talent and depth to fill both positions.
2. AJ and legacy
AJ McCarronās main agenda at SEC Media Days was to make sure everyone knows heās the anti-Manziel, in a very polite manner. Although theyāre close, heās the antithesis of Manziel. Heās all about winning and not about himself. Heās Alabamaās focused and poised leader Nick Saban knows he can trust and can ultimately gel a unit for a greater accomplishment. McCarron will go down as Alabamaās best quarterback ever, and Iām sure thatās fine with McCarron as long as winning is part of the recipe.
3. No. 2
Whoās going to become Bamaās No. 2 RB to share carries with TJ Yeldon? Thereās a slew of talented rock toters already assembled. Kenyan Drake, Jalston Fowler, Derrick Henry, Dee Hart, Tyren Jones, Alvin Kamara and Altee Tenpenny. Thatās a stacked and loaded depth chart with not enough carries to go around. The one guy to look for here is Henry. Heās a mountain of a young man at 6-3, 245 pounds, and the early enrollee is already familiar with the offense and physically ready to compete now. Drake will also work into the rotation. All combine to help keep Yeldon healthy and physically rested.
4. Staff
Nick Saban has primarily held his staff together throughout his tenure. But the one assistant who is likely to take another head coaching position isnāt Kirby Smart. Itās offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier. He led the Tide offense to new heights in 2012, averaging a Saban-era high 38.71 points per game. Nussmeier is innovative, and heās a better offensive mind than most think. Heās a future head coach.
SDS takeaway: The Tide enter as the favorite to play for and win their third national championship in a row. If that happens, how will AJ McCarron and Nick Sabanās legacies play out? Saban has already topped the Bear, and would that move McCarron into the realm or make him better than BCS greats Cam Newton, Tim Tebow, etc.? While Texas A&M and LSU will scare folks, the Tide should roll in 2013.
http://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/2013/whats-going-to-stop-alabama-2013/
