Alabama Football: The Five Best Teams the Tide Will Play

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Oct 10, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide mascot Big Al celebrates a score against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated Arkansas 27-14. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /

What are the five toughest games Alabama football will play during the 2016 regular season? We got the answer and some predictions.

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According to Phil Steele, Alabama football has the third most difficult schedule in college football in 2016. So picking the Tide’s five toughest opponents is no easy task.

Road games at Ole Miss, Arkansas, Tennessee and LSU will all be difficult. But there are a few other games on the schedule that could prove equally challenging.

Here, in reverse order, are the five best teams Alabama will play.

Sep 5, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans white horse mascot Traveler with rider Hector Aguilar during the game against the Arkansas State Red Wolves at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

USC, September 3, Arlington, Texas

A little over ten years ago, USC was almost a dynasty. Since then, the Men of Troy have been reduced to little more than “Boy Troys” — losing 20 games since 2012.

With new coach Clay Helton, a solid and respected coaching staff, and a post-probation roster filled with talent, the Trojans seem poised in 2016 to go from boys to men again. They have arguably the best offensive line in the country, two elite-level defensive backs, and Ju Ju Smith-Schuster is one of the best wide receivers in the game.

The Trojans have talent, but they have to learn how to win again. Lesson number one comes September 3 in Arlington, Texas when USC gets an up close and personal look at what a real dynasty looks like. Powered by a defense that should wreak havoc on new starting quarterback Max Browne, Alabama should win. But it won’t be easy. Expect a relatively close game midway through the third quarter, when the Alabama running game begins to wear down USC’s defensive line, which has little depth or experience.

Prediction: Alabama 30, USC 17

Next: The Aggies in Tuscaloosa

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