Alabama Football: Why the Crimson Tide can win it all in 2017

The Alabama football-Saban dynasty can win another national championship in 2017. Here are five reasons why and an interesting what-if.

The Alabama football ‘what if’ is compliments of the Wall St. Journal. Three Alabama football national championships in six seasons and four in seven qualify for dynasty status. Ben Cohen of the Journal contends even more impressive is it could have been six national championships in six seasons.

Cohen added that three plays alone denied the Tide three more national championships: the 2013 Kick-Six; a late first-half razzle-dazzle play from Ohio State giving the Buckeyes the one touchdown margin of victory; and the second ‘rub’ play by Clemson that won them the 2016 national championship.

Our hats are off to Cohen. He understands that unlike any other team in college football, Alabama is defined by national championships and its infrequent losses. Which will it be in 2017? The odds are greater it will be another national championship than another single play denying a championship.

Five Reasons Alabama football will win the 2017 national championship

Reason No. 1 – A fire in the belly

The 2017 Crimson Tide is hungry and coming off last season’s disappointment with a chip on its shoulder. As we discussed in the Saban ‘Hey Coach’ post, Nick is most comfortable with teams seeking atonement. Saban hates complacency more than almost anything. The 2017 team may not be at peak performance against Mercer or Fresno State but it will not matter. The Tide will be pumped for everybody else.

Reason No. 2 – Skill level is exceptional

Alabama football will be a bit younger and more than a tad less experienced in 2017. Youth and inexperience can be big problems for most teams. The Crimson Tide is not invulnerable but the talent level will allow the team to rise above any critical mistakes. The roster at running back, linebacker, wide receiver and in the secondary is as or more skillful than any Saban championship team.

Reason No. 3 – Speed

Wimp Sanderson used to say “you can’t coach tall,” you are tall or not. The same can be said about speed. Players can be taught technique and train to become faster but blazing speed is a genetic gift. At every position where it matters the 2017 Tide is blessed with speed.

Consider the defense where seven 2016 players moved on to the NFL. The 2017 defense cannot be as good, can it? The answer will not be known for months. Until then, take comfort in the probability the 2017 defense is not only faster, it may become even deeper than the 2016 team.

Reason No. 4 – Brain Daboll will make the offense better

Obviously, this claim has no available proof. Until last season’s CFB Playoff the Kiffin offense was pretty darn impressive. Daboll has, even more, playmakers in 2017. Jalen Hurts will be an improved QB. Our presumption is the 2017 offense will better enough to make up for any defensive breakdowns.

Reason No. 5 – Nick Saban

Nick Saban is relaxed and talking freely about ‘liking’ his team. The rest of college football should beware. The best coach in college football is putting you on notice.

Next: Some Insider Scoop on FSU

Football, like all else in life, offers no guarantees. Fifteen games must be played. Probably at least 14 of them must be won for another national championship. However it plays out, we expect 2017 to be another special Alabama football season.