Around the nation's college teams — Part II

By Nate Sandstrom

Alabama Crimson Tide
(7-6 in 2007; 7 returning starters on offense, 6 on defense)
(Predicted SEC West finish — Phil Steele: 3; Athlon: 3; Lindy's: 3; overall average 3)



Nick Saban's first year as Alabama's head coach was a disappointment to many in Tuscaloosa. After a 3-0 start they lost six of the next nine before edging a mediocre Colorado team in the Independence Bowl to get above .500.

Perhaps more disappointing was that the Tide was just a few plays away from playing in a New Year's Day bowl. All six of their losses came by a touchdown or less, including a 41-34 loss to eventual national champ LSU after a costly fumble in the game's final minutes. They were also about to pull ahead of Mississippi State 16-3 before the Bulldogs returned an INT for 100 yards and a 10-9 lead. They eventually won 17-12.

Senior QB John Parker Wilson (pictured above) is hoping to clean up the turnover problems and turn some of those close losses into wins this year. Wilson has thrown for more than 5,500 yards the last two seasons and is looking forward to working with the nation's top wide receiver recruit, Julio Jones (see highlight reel at left). Of course the bad news is that Jones has to step in for departed DJ Hall, who topped 1,000 yards receiving the past two years.

Alabama will also hope to have a 1,000-yard rusher in sophomore Terry Grant. Grant ran for 891 yards last season before missing the loss at Auburn and the bowl game because of a hip injury. Saban says that he has looked good in camp thus far. Grant will also be running behind an offensive line that returns four starters and the tight end.

The Tide returns six defensive starters on a defense that lacks standouts outside of senior FS Rashad Johnson. Sophomore Rolando McClain will be back in the linebacking corps after a freshman season that saw him make 75 tackles and intercept two passes. Expect improvement this year, and a greater leadership role.

However, it will likely be the defense and road games at Georgia, Tennessee and LSU that keeps this team in the middle of the pack in the SEC West, behind Auburn and LSU.