2024 Alabama Football success can be categorized as could, should and will

No matter how many predictions I have read about the prospects for Alabama Football in the 2024 season, clarity is evasive. Underlying all the predictions, no matter how surely they are stated, there is a sense no one knows what to expect from the Crimson Tide.

Conventional wisdom, separate from anything to do with Kalen DeBoer, is that the Alabama program must have some dropoff after Nick Saban. That being an easy prediction does not make it true.

I am working on a game-by-game rundown of the Alabama Crimson Tide regular season. It will include score predictions for every game. It will not project an undefeated regular season.

The background for the game predictions is what I think Alabama could do; what it should do, and what it will do. I agree with Steve Spurrier's recent prediction; Alabama Football could win the SEC. Why; because every necessary component of a championship season, is possessed by Alabama.

Those components begin with a top head coach and coaching staff. DeBoer's 104-12 head coaching record speaks for itself. The staff is high-level and is perhaps the best Alabama staff in recent seasons.

The other essential components are an elite quarterback; game-changing skill players; a depth of talent in every position group, and players capable of dominating both sides of the line of scrimmage. The Alabama Crimson Tide has all those components. Some are a work in progress. After a few games, any weaknesses can mature into strengths.

So the 'could' is Alabama could become the SEC Champion. Let's consider a 'should' perspective. Because of some weaknesses that will need game experience, it is fair to expect bumps in the road will lead to a loss or losses. If Alabama's schedule had Georgia coming to Tuscaloosa in late October, rather than late September, I would pick the Crimson Tide. But the September game will be a tall order to expect the new offensive and defensive systems to be solid.

The Alabama Football 'Will' Scenario

Forced to finish this with a 'will' scenario, I'll project at 10-2 regular season. Later this week a follow-up post will discuss that in detail. Many Alabama football fans may find the prospect of two regular season losses unacceptable. My heart says the same, but my head says 10-2.

I'll close with the observation of Jalen Milroe becoming elite. My confidence in Milroe was strengthened a few weeks ago when Nick Saban explained that Milroe puts pressure on defenses like no other SEC QB can. That's good enough for me.