Why the Crimson Tide Could Repeat in 2016
By Ethan Sharp
The Alabama Crimson Tide won the second ever College Football Playoff last season, but do they have a great chance at repeating?
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It never fails. At the end of every season, Alabama fans begin talking about whether or not the Crimson Tide will be in the running for the next year’s national championship. Winning seasons have become an expectation in Tuscaloosa since Saban arrived in 2007. The Tide never disappoints in that aspect and has had eight winning seasons in a row resulting in four national championships.
After last season’s national championship, we are left once again with that question of how likely is it for the Tide to repeat in 2016? I personally believe that Alabama’s chance for the repeat crown are better this year than any other.
One thing that will contribute to Alabama’s chance at a repeat is the recruiting classes that will be on the field this season. All four recruiting classes represented this season were all number one in their respected classes. The nation’s top elite athletes will once again be taking the field at Bryant Denny Stadium and in stadiums across the country. That alone is something no other team in the country has on their side.
In addition to already having the best recruiting classes on the field, Alabama also has many familiar names coming back for the 2016 season.
Alabama has had top-ranked defenses for several seasons so if you doubt that unit will struggle, you may want to rethink it. Senior linebacker Reuben Foster will be returning for his senior campaign, bringing his head-hunting capability with heat-seeking missile power to search and destroy opponents. With Reggie Ragland beginning his career in the NFL, Alabama’s defense will be looking for a leader. Foster is poised to be that leader during the 2016 season. Foster finished second, just behind Ragland, for tackles last season. Let’s not forget about Ryan Anderson and Tim Williams returning, either. Senior safety Eddie Jackson will be making his return for the 2016 season after leading the team in 2015 for interceptions and pick sixes.
It appears this that this year The Tide could essentially have one of their best defenses of the Saban era. The first and second string defenses shut down the Crimson Tide offenses while only giving up one touchdown during the A-Day Game last month. In the past few seasons, Saban and company have started to lean to the quicker defenders that allows the defense to stop the hurry-up offenses more effectively.
On the offensive side of the ball, the always electric wide receiver Calvin Ridley will be beginning his sophomore year. Last season, Ridley broke the team’s freshmen season receiving yards record which was previously held by Amari Cooper. Robert Foster will make his comeback after missing last season with an injury and has the talent to have a stand-out year. The wide receiver unit is the best total package that Saban has had there at the position since coming to Tuscaloosa and one of the best in the nation. Running back will see a new starter this season but with Bo Scarbrough and Damien Harris there, something tells me that the Tide will be just fine.
All together, the Tide will return seven starters on offense and five on defense. That’s not counting the valuable playing time that some next on the depth chart received last year.
As if the reasons listed above aren’t enough, the Crimson Tide also has the best coaching staff in college football. The offense is led by Lane Kiffin, who has transformed the passing game for The Tide over the last two seasons. Do you need proof? Look at Blake Sims and Jake Coker. Jeremy Pruitt is entering his first season as Alabama’s defensive coordinator. Pruitt has a good track record of good defenses during his time at Georgia. The 2015 Bulldog defense ranked eighth nationally in total defense, allowing 298.0 yards per game, led the nation in passing yards allowed per game (146.1 ypg), ranked second nationally in red zone defense (.645), and third nationally in first down defense (173).
When you pair all of this together with Saban orchestrating the smallest details of every season, it’s a tough to bet against the Tide no matter the season. The head coach does have a pretty good record in national title games if you needed reminding.
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With Nick Saban leading the way, it would appear as if the stars could align and give Alabama a great chance at repeating their title in 2016.