The Chink In Alabama’s Armor

For the better part of six seasons, finding anything resembling a weakness in what has become the premier college football program of the past decade has been difficult. Head coach Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide have posted 72 wins, two SEC titles, and three national championships. You don’t post those kinds of numbers and have any glaring weaknesses. In 2014, though, Saban and his staff find themselves with a potential problem. What has become the strength of Alabama football may become its biggest nemesis entering the new season – defense.

Saban and Alabama have consistently finished in the top ten in numerous defensive statistical categories over the last six seasons. Last year was no different as the Tide yielded just 13.9 points per game, good enough for fourth in the country, and 286.5 yards per game, the nation’s fifth-best total. Defense has been a big part of those SEC and national championships. This year, however, Alabama must replace seven starters.

Gone is 2013 Butkus Award winner C.J. Mosley, a first-round draft pick of the Baltimore Ravens and the heart and soul of the Crimson Tide defensive unit a year ago. His loss is somewhat cushioned by the return of 6-foot-2, 245-pound senior Trey DePriest, who will take over at middle linebacker. Who DePriest plays alongside is still being determined and will go a long way in determining how successful the Alabama defense will be in 2014.

A year ago, the Alabama secondary may have been considered a weakness. In 2014, Saban and company are looking for three starters. Junior Landon Collins (6-0, 215) will be the strong safety but if adequate replacements are not found for Vinnie Sunseri and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, the secondary may become a glaring deficiency. Juniors Bradley Sylve and Cyrus Jones may be the corners and whoever winds up playing with Collins will have the luxury of the early season schedule, which starts with games against West Virginia, Florida Atlantic, and Southern Miss.

Sunseri, Clinton-Dix, linebacker Adrian Hubbard, and defensive end Jeoffrey Pagan all entered the NFL Draft early after the 2013 season. Defensive end Ed Stinson, like Mosley, used up his eligibility and was drafted in the fifth round by the Arizona Cardinals. Alabama also lost starting cornerback Deion Blue, who was signed as a free agent by the Jacksonville Jaguars recently.

In Saban’s 3-4 defense, only senior Brandon Ivory (6-4, 310) returns to the defensive line. While Saban and his staff have recruited very well – the Tide signed the top recruiting class in the country for the fourth consecutive year – they do not have a lot of quality depth in the defensive line. Saban and defensive coordinator Kirby Smart may have to rely on two junior college transfers from East Mississippi Community College, D.J. Petteway and Jarran Reed. Both were around for the Tide’s spring football workouts and should become part of the defensive line rotation. Still, there are no dominant players up front which could put even more pressure on a shaky secondary.

Alabama does return eight starters on offense, including RB T.J. Yeldon, three fantastic receivers, and three quality offensive linemen. The Tide have been blessed with a schedule that does not include SEC East foes South Carolina and Georgia and they get both Texas A&M and in-state rival Auburn at home. Yes, Saban and his crew will be considered a contender for an SEC and a national championship, but if the holes are not filled on defense, what is normally the strength of Alabama football may become its Achilles heel.