Alabama Football: Thoughts on the opposite of ‘rat poison’

Fans light up the stadium with cell phones during a media timeout between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Utah State Aggies (Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports)
Fans light up the stadium with cell phones during a media timeout between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Utah State Aggies (Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports) /
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Uncharacteristically, Nick Saban and the Alabama Football program don’t need to worry about rat poison. The majority opinion of the college football pundit class is Alabama is not a prohibitive favorite to make the CFB Playoffs. Some are going beyond that to claim the Alabama Crimson Tide is not the favorite, among SEC West teams, to make it to Atlanta.

Alabama football fans beg to differ. Are we justified in our optimism? Or are we so conditioned to championship football under Nick Saban, we’ll be the last to recognize slippage?

Eight months ago. I predicted the Alabama Crimson Tide would win the 2022 National Championship. I gave 10 reasons why and looking back, every reason but one was solid. My prediction the Tide’s offensive line would be much improved was wrong. I also failed to believe Josh Heupel was an offensive wizard or that Brian Kelly could turn LSU around in one season.

I don’t have an equal amount of optimism for the 2023 season. But I am bullish on the Crimson Tide, despite obvious areas for concern.

Before discussing the reasons for my optimism, let’s assess what others are saying about Alabama Football in 2023.

Some Alabama Football Preseason Rankings

Mark Schlabach’s Top 25 for ESPN has the Crimson Tide at No. 6. The top five are Georgia, Michigan, Florida State, USC and Ohio State. LSU is ranked No. 7. An earlier ranking, prior to the A-Day game had Alabama at No. 5.

Dennis Dodd’s Top 25 for CBS also has Alabama at No. 6. The top five are Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State and Washington. LSU is ranked No. 8.

Brad Crawford’s Top 25 for 247Sports also has the Crimson Tide at No. 6. The top five are Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State, LSU and Florida State.

It is Crawford’s projection that most rankles Alabama football fans. Crawford explained his take on the Crimson Tide,

"Alabama has suffered the biggest perception change following spring practice among national title contenders and tumbled four spots outside of our top 5. The reason? Nick Saban isn’t settled on a quarterback and for the first time in years. It’s a legitimate talent question concerning the Crimson Tide, who replace a number of key starters and contributors on both sides of the football…Replacing both coordinators is another worry with (Tommy) Rees and Kevin Steele (defense) taking over."

Crawford makes an uncontestable point about the Crimson Tide’s quarterback situation. What can be debated is whether both Coordinators are a worry. I submit that with both of them, they will likely prove to be upgrades.

Not only am I comfortable with Alabama being ranked No. 6 in these preseason projections, but I am also convinced it is a benefit. An exceptionally talented Alabama football team, playing an entire season with a chip on its shoulder should worry other teams.

Next. An offensive line for the long haul. dark

Another reason for 2023 optimism is the GOAT. He is still college football’s best.