The Alabama Crimson Tide ran the table last year, winning the BCS national championship title at the Rose Bowl by beating the Texas Longhorns 37-21. The Crimson Tide will be back to defend the title and leading the crew is head coach Nick Saban, the fiery Saban has won everywhere he has gone in the College Football Picks landscape, also returning to the team is Heisman trophy winner Mark Ingram who rushed for 1,658 and scored 20 touchdowns. The Crimson Tide are loaded on both offense but the defense will need some work after losing defensive tackle Terrence Cody, linebackers Eryk Anders and Rolando McClain plus cornerback Javier Arenas. The 2009-10 BCS champs did not raise any eyebrows statistically on offense, except for the running game that averaged over 215 rushing yards per game. The defense was another story as they ranked 2nd nationally in total yards, rushing yards and points allowed, they also were 10th nationally in pass defense, that is hard to replace but if anyone can do it it is Saban and his staff. Alabama was 9-5 against the spread on college football predictions in 2009-10, going over the total 7 times, under 6 times with 1 push.

The 2010-11 Alabama team is expected to win another BCS title according to all of the national publications but the team will have a few large obstacles in the way, including home date with Penn State and Florida and the Tide travel to much improved Arkansas and a November 6 match up in Baton Rouge against the LSU Tigers. The Offense will be quarterbacked by Greg McElroy, lined up behind McElroy will be Mark Ingram mathematical calculated football predictions but sophomore Trent Richardson, who a lot of people including this sports handicapper thinks is just as good. Wide Receiver Julio Jones is also a stud and 1st round draft pick had 596 yards last year but looks to improve on that number with McElroy gaining a year of experience. The offensive line also returns 3 starters. Alabama will be able to score in bunches and play ball control if they have too.

Now lets talk about the so called weak link and that is the defense, coordinator Kirby smart will have to do one of his best jobs ever. The defensive line will count on Marcell Dareus to provide leadership and a pass rush, he was also the defensive MVP of the BCS championship game. It will be extremely tough to replace McClain at linebacker but the tide will look to Dont'a Hightower to fill in for McClain, Jarrell Harris, Chris Jordan and Courtney Upshaw will round out the linebacking corps. The defensive backs will be led by strong Safety Mark Barron, who led the team with 7 interceptions last year. Sophomore Robert Lester will start opposite Barron while Dre Kirkpatrick and B.J Scott will hold down the corners to start the season. Alabama will go 10-2 this year and miss out on playing in the SEC championship game.