Season breakdown & prediction: Hereās a scary thought: Alabama is deeper than it was a season ago. All that team did was roll through a perfect regular season and nearly play for the national championship. There is no question that this team is equally capable. But back to this depth. The Tide return 55 of its 66 2008 lettermen (thatās 83 percent, give or take a decimal point), as well as add another top five recruiting class. Itās truly amazing to see how quickly Saban has turned over this roster, one he inherited with shockingly little talent when compared to teams past. (How he did so may not be so laudable.) Now, there are a few issues with this team. For starters, we all saw in the Sugar Bowl just how important the Alabama offensive line was to the over all well-being of the offense, as the team struggled mightily without a few of its normal contributors. Quarterback, at least to me, is not much of a concern; Saban does not, and will not in 2009, ask for much from the position, merely to protect the ball and keep opposing defenses modest. If you want the real reason why I believe Alabama will again be in the national title hunt, look no further than the defense. Nine starters return off last yearās unit, and I think another year in this system will see even greater improvement in 2009. My final prediction: 11-1, 7-1 in the SEC, and atop the SEC West. I donāt think this team will get by Florida, but I do have the Tide reaching a second consecutive B.C.S. bowl. In case you didnāt know, Alabamaās back.
