Next up on the Triple Option Attack is #1 Alabama
Music to listen to: Machine Gun by The Commodores
The Story: Who else would you think it could be. When you return virtually your entire offense and have one of the best defensive minds in all of football combined together, there isn’t a reason Alabama can’t repeat as national champion.
However, repeating is very hard to do and starting with Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram’s knee injury, things may not be so good for the Crimson Tide.
Last Season: Finished the year undefeated including its victory over Texas in the BCS Championship Game.
Offense: The Tide aren’t going to change its script when it comes to offense. Alabama will run the ball behind its two excellent running backs and elite offensive line the majority of the time. When you have Ingram and super sophomore Trent Richardson as your backs, that’s what the plan should be.
The two improvements the team would like to see in 2010 is more passing efficiency from quarterback Greg McElroy. He has been with the system for more than a year now so more will be expected of him. The second thing will be to get more production from star wide receiver Julio Jones. He may be the second-best receiver in the nation behind Georgia’a AJ Green but he has to become more of a vertical threat to avoid opposing defenses to key in on the run.
Defense: Nine starters are gone but not to sound too flip about it, this is Alabama.
The biggest hole without question is at middle linebacker where Rolando McClain was great for two seasons. Replacing him will be Don’t’a Hightower, who was supposed to be a starter last season but suffered a knee injury that wiped out his 2009 year. He’s back and ready to be a star.
Nico Johnson is another top linebacker coming back to the team.
The defensive line needs to replace excellent players like Terrance Cody but there are plenty of guys to do that.
The secondary only returns one starter, All-America Mark Barron, but has some experienced players such as cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick who have gotten playing time over the years.
The Schedule
9-4-10 SAN JOSE STATE
9-11-10 PENN STATE
9-18-10 at Duke
9-25-10 at Arkansas
10-2-10 FLORIDA
10-9-10 at South Carolina
10-16-10 MISSISSIPPI
10-23-10 at Tennessee
11-6-10 at Louisiana State
11-13-10 MISSISSIPPI STATE
11-20-10 GEORGIA STATE
11-26-10 AUBURN
It will be very difficult for Alabama to go undefeated again this season. In fact, I’ll kill the suspense and say that the Crimson Tide will lose a contest this season.
I find it hard to believe that Alabama will lose a home contest this year, so I’m looking to the road. The Arkansas game is of concern because the Razorbacks can outscore anybody in the nation. LSU has the talent to do it.
I would be remised if I didn’t mention the Florida game but I think that the Tide will have an easier time with the Gators as expected.
Most Famous Sports Alum: There have been plenty of talented people in the world of sports to come through Alabama but the most famous alum is Bear Bryant
Celebrity Alum “Crush:” I want to pick my former co-worker who we’ll call Ms. Watson because she’ll always be my main crush but I’ll make another call.
Sela Ward gets the win.
Prediction: 11-1
The Tide will drop one game during the regular season but will right the ship in time to win the SEC title and the national championship.
Sports Inquirer Top-25 Preseason College Football Poll:
The Sports Inquirer 
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