|
RB
Mark Ingram (PHOTO: Alabama media
relations) |
2010
SCHEDULE
|
9-4-10 |
SAN
JOSE STATE |
9-11-10 |
PENN
STATE |
9-18-10 |
at
Duke |
9-25-10 |
at
Arkansas |
10-2-10 |
FLORIDA |
10-9-10 |
at
South Carolina |
10-16-10 |
MISSISSIPPI |
10-23-10 |
at
Tennessee |
11-6-10 |
at
Louisiana State |
11-13-10 |
MISSISSIPPI
STATE |
11-20-10 |
GEORGIA
STATE |
11-26-10 |
AUBURN |
|
Coach:
Nick Saban
28-8,
3 years |
2009
Statistics |
2009
RESULTS: 14-0 |
NATIONAL
CHAMPIONS |
vs.
Virginia Tech |
WON
34-24 |
FIU |
WON
40-14 |
NORTH
TEXAS |
WON
53-7 |
ARKANSAS |
WON
35-7 |
at
Kentucky |
WON
38-20 |
at
Mississippi |
WON
22-3 |
SOUTH
CAROLINA |
WON
20-6 |
TENNESSEE |
WON
12-10 |
LOUISIANA
STATE |
WON
24-15 |
at
Mississippi State |
WON
31-3 |
CHATTANOOGA |
WON
45-0 |
at
Auburn |
WON
26-21 |
SEC
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME |
vs.
Florida |
WON
32-13 |
BCS
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
GAME |
Texas |
WON
37-21 |
|
|
2009
Final Rankings
AP-1, Coaches-1, BCS-1
|
2010
Outlook |
Top
recruiting classes are
paying off as Alabama
is replacing All-Americans
with future All-Americans.
One might ask just how
Alabama could enter the
2010 season as the nation's
No. 1 ranked preseason
team with so many holes
to fill on the defensive
side. Three teams currently
exist in all of college
football that are worthy
of plugging new starters
in every year without
drop off...USC, Florida
and of course the Crimson
Tide. So many of these
true and redshirt freshmen
(on defense and along
the offensive line) were
five-star athletes coming
out of high school. Due
to the many departures,
this will be an extremely
young football team with
the exception of those
few offensive skill positions.
And
those established offensive
skill positions are what
allow this team to hold
on to the No. 1 ranking.
Cases can be made that
three of the most important
positions are manned by
potential Heisman Candidates.
QB Greg McElroy has the
mentality, WR Julio Jones
has the athletic ability,
and RB Mark Ingram has
both since he's already
won the award. Alabama
will continue to line
up and successfully run
the ball right at opposing
defenses with Richardson
and Ingram busting out
of the backfield. That
is the basic formula,
which should provide enough
distraction to open the
door even more for Jones
to finally start putting
up those anticipated,
lofty receiving numbers.
And unlike seasons past,
there isn't any distraction
from a new offensive coordinator.
While
Rolando McClain will be
difficult to replace at
linebacker, Dont'a Hightower
has the potential to step
right in and be an immediate
impact player. The secondary
is the biggest question
mark on this team other
than special teams. But
what they lack in experience,
they more than make up
for with extreme talent(s).
Having a guy like All-American
Mark Barron back there
also will help ease the
transition.
The
Tide has a brutal schedule.
Not just because they
play in the SEC, but six
conference opponents have
been given a bye the weekend
before facing Alabama
(an issue for an article
on how the SEC continues
to put the screws to ole
Bama). Feisty Penn State
pays a visit, and Florida
(Oct. 2) is now more than
just an SEC title game
opponent in Atlanta. Every
foe has to be salivating
at the idea of giving
Alabama its first regular
season loss in three years.
Given the youth movement
of this defense, winning
another national championship
- with such a target on
their collective chest
and a brutal schedule
- looks to still be a
year or two away.
Projected
2010 record: 11-1 |
|
|
WR
Julio Jones (PHOTO: Alabama media
relations) |
ALABAMA
2009 Statistical Rankings |
OFFENSE |
|
National |
Conf. |
Rushing: |
12 |
3 |
Passing: |
92 |
8 |
Total
Off: |
42 |
4 |
Sacks
Allow: |
36 |
5 |
|
DEFENSE |
|
National |
Conf. |
Rushing: |
2 |
1 |
Passing: |
10 |
4 |
Total
Def: |
2 |
1 |
Sacks: |
40 |
4 |
|
|
RETURNING
LEADERS |
Passing:
Greg McElroy, 198-325-4,
2508 yds., 17 TD
Rushing: Mark Ingram,
271 att., 1658 yds., 17
TD
Receiving: Julio
Jones, 43 rec., 596 yds.,
4 TD
Scoring: Mark Ingram,
20 TD, 120 pts.
Punting: None
Kicking: Jeremy
Shelley, 0-1 FG, 1-1 PAT,
1 pt.
Tackles: Mark Barron,
76 tot., 43 solo
Sacks: Marcell
Dareus, 6.5 sacks
Interceptions:
Mark Barron, 7 for 125
yds., 1 TD
Kickoff Returns:
Terry Grant, 8 ret., 22.0
avg., 0 TD
Punt Returns: Julio
Jones, 5 ret., 15.0 avg.,
0 TD
|
|
|
|
|
|
ALABAMA
2010
College Football Preview
|
|
|
OFFENSE
- 8 |
----RETURNING
STARTERS---- |
DEFENSE
- 2 |
|
KEY
LOSSES |
OFFENSE:
Roy Upchurch-RB, Colin Peek-TE,
Mike Johnson-OG, Drew Davis-OT,
Leigh Tiffin-K |
DEFENSE:
Lorenzo
Washington-DE, Terrence
Cody-NT, Brandon Deaderick-DE,
Cory Reamer-SLB, Eryk Anders-JACK,
Javier Arenas-CB, Marquis
Johnson-CB, Justin Woodall-FS,
P.J. Fitzgerald-P, Kareem
Jackson-CB (NFL), Rolando
McClain-MLB (NFL), Robby
Green-FS |
|
|
2010
OFFENSE |
QUARTERBACK
Despite a perfect record in 2009,
Alabama was not really known for
its passing attack. However, first
year starter Greg McElroy proved
he is more than just efficient
as a game manager. With only four
interceptions, McElroy did his
job almost perfectly. The Tide
did not really need a QB to win
a game in the clutch until the
regular season closer against
Auburn. McElroy is now a senior
and still has not lost a game
as a starter since he was in middle
school. When it comes to making
his reads, knowing the system
and feeling comfortable in his
drops, the comparison now as to
where Greg was last spring is
like night and day; he may get
some early talk as an outside
Heisman contender because, well,
'Bama continues to just win. But
he still won't be throwing the
ball frequently in this system.
The backups are also steady. A.J.
McCarron and Star Jackson are
in a tight battle with true freshman
Phillip Sims. Sims enrolled early
to get a jump on grasping this
offense.
RUNNING
BACK
If one thing is certain, this
team is set at running back.
Headbanger Mark Ingram is only
getting better. As a sophomore,
Ingram won Alabama's first ever
Heisman trophy while setting
the school's single season rushing
record. What has to be terrifying
for opponents is that backfield
partner Trent Richardson can
step in and the team won't lose
a step, according to head coach
Nick Saban and the results seen.
Richardson is strong and powerful,
too, with a huge burst of speed,
and he has improved immensely
this spring at both reading
defenses and picking up blitzers.
Those are the kinds of things
that will allow him to "spell
success" more next season.
The two of them combined for
416 carries, 2,409 yards and
25 touchdowns last fall. Neither
is even 21 years old yet, and
what is possible for their championship
encore could be something really
special. Times have gotten so
good that some of the media
have even started asking if
a two-back set may be possible.
Not yet, but there may not be
a better running tandem in the
nation.
RECEIVER
The two-year story on Julio
Jones thus far has been decent,
but nothing stellar. He has
All-American skills with very
little stats to show for his
innate abilities. Expectations
coming out of high school were
high since Jones was one of
the best at his position. Jones
needs to work on his case of
'dropsies' as well as avoiding
those nagging injuries that
have hampered him so far in
his career. No question, though,
that he is king of this group.
The biggest upside may belong
to Marquis Maze when measuring
his total size, speed and athleticism
package. Hopes are that Brandon
Gibson can start to become a
part of this unit after experimenting
with playing defensive back
some this spring. Look for upwards
of four newcomers to push the
envelope as they join the team
this summer. This is an area
where position changes could
be in store if the young ones
show they can contribute immediately.
At TE, sophomore Mike Williams
takes over for Colin Peek who
will be tough to replace as
a pass catcher. Ex-DE Williams
played in all 14 games last
year, but primarily as a run
blocker. Preston Dial remains
the starting H-back ahead of
Brad Smelley, and both have
the chops to provide much of
the production lost with Peek's
departure. Converted running
back Mike Marrow will provide
backup.
OFFENSIVE
LINE
While there are a few holes
on this line of scrimmage, a
viable mix of depth and top-quality
youth is plentiful. Don't let
the young faces fool you. Redshirt
freshmen such as Love and Fluker,
who are battling for starting
positions, were former five
star prep recruits. Some future
potential All-Americans are
lining up here. Returning sophomore
starter Barrett Jones continues
to work at right guard, though,
at any moment he is talented
enough to slide out to tackle
where Fluker will hopefully
stabilize that right outside
position. Center William Vlachos
may not be the best lineman
of the bunch, but he is the
glue that holds this group together
as he also makes up a big part
of the offensive identity. His
ability to pull has been extremely
beneficial to the running game.
Redshirt frosh Chance Warmack
is getting most of the first
team reps at left guard and
has the making of a future All-SEC
guard. Then ,of course, there
is returning All-SEC performer
James Carpernter at left tackle.
The Coffeyville Community College
transfer stepped in last fall
for All-American Andre Smith
and did more than most could
ever have imagined. He may not
be a dominating run blocker,
but his pass protection is exceptional.
|
|
OT
James Carpenter (PHOTO:
Alabama media relations)
|
|
|
ALABAMA
2010 DEPTH CHART
Returning
Starters/Key
Players |
OFFENSE |
QB |
Greg
McElroy-Sr (6-3, 225) |
Star
Jackson-So (6-3, 209)
A.J. McCarron-RFr
(6-4, 190) |
RB |
Mark
Ingram-Jr (5-10, 215) |
Trent
Richardson-So (5-11,
220) |
HB |
Preston
Dial-Sr (6-3, 237) |
Brad
Smelley-Jr (6-3, 227) |
WR |
Marquis
Maze-Jr (5-10, 182) |
Brandon
Gibson-Jr (6-2, 196) |
WR |
Julio
Jones-Jr (6-4, 211) |
Darius
Hanks-Sr (6-0, 184)
Earl Alexander-Sr
(6-4, 207) |
TE |
Michael
Williams-So (6-6,
270) |
Mike
Marrow-RFr (6-2, 235) |
OT |
James
Carpenter-Sr (6-5,
300) |
Tyler
Love-So (6-6, 304) |
OG |
Chance
Warmack-RFR (6-3,
300) |
Anthony
Steen-RFr (6-3, 292) |
C |
William
Vlachos-Jr (6-1, 296) |
David
Ross-Sr (6-3, 302) |
OG |
Barrett
Jones-So (6-5, 301) |
John
Michael Boswell-So
(6-5, 291) |
OT |
D.J.
Fluker-RFr (6-6, 340) |
Alfred
McCullough-Jr (6-2,
309) |
K |
Cade
Foster-Fr (6-1, 221) |
Jeremy
Shelley-So (5-10,
165) |
|
|
|
2010
DEFENSE |
DEFENSIVE
LINE
Much like other units on the
defensive side, the DL goes
through a major reloading phase.
And the term reloading is a
proper description based on
the monstrous play Bama is about
to get out of DE Marcel Dareus,
a brightly burning shooting
star. Dareus only had four starts
last fall, but over the second
half of the team’s title
run he became one of the main
weapons. Dareus' development
forced opponents to change their
game plan. His solid play continued
this spring and, long story
short, he looks like the Tide's
best defensive player. Marcel
is talented enough to play his
way into a Top 5 NFL Draft pick
down the road. Attempting to
fill the mountainous cleats
of Terrence Cody at nose tackle
will be Josh Chapman, who is
known as Alabama's strongest
player (squats close to 700
pounds). He and Kerry Murphy
are qualified enough to eclipse
the tackle numbers Cody put
up, which is bad news for opposing
blockers as this entire line
will make things (like who to
double-team) tough. Luther Davis
looks to take over at the other
DE spot. Davis was a highly
touted prep recruit out of Louisiana
who now gets his chance to shine
as a senior after playing a
reserve role til now.
LINEBACKER
The best news this off-season
has to be the healthy, ahead-of-schedule
return of linebacker Dont'a
Hightower (tore ACL and MCL
late last fall). Cleared for
full contact, he has been lining
up at Rolando McClain's former
middle linebacker spot. McClain
(8th overall pick in the '09
NFL Draft) didn't come off the
field, and that continues to
be the burden placed on the
middle linebacker in this defense.
Regardless of formation, the
MIKE stays out there. Ergo,
the prospect of Hightower sliding
into McClain's old spot makes
sense. But he is versatile enough
as an athlete to play any of
these linebacker positions at
any time. Such a statement has
been put to the test too, as
musical chairs appears to be
the theme with everyone. Who
lines up where when the whistle
blows is anyone's guess, even
the coaches. One day there's
four players in distinct spots,
and the next day, everything's
completely different. Jerrell
Harris fits this rotating scheme
while adding even more versatility
to the mix. He has played everywhere
but the JACK pass rush position.
A six-game suspension last fall
kept Harris out and pushed Nico
Johnson into a situational role
he will likely make permanent
in 2010. Opportunity will knock
again for Harris, and he is
more than capable physically.
Each of the linebackers brings
something different to the table.
They are all interchangeable
which makes this group as good
as any Bama has fielded despite
the inexperience. Like all other
units, young able bodies are
everywhere.
DEFENSIVE
BACK
Rebuilding the secondary will
be the No. 1 priority this spring.
Not only are three of four starters
gone, but so are most of the
nickel and dime backs. Strong
safety Mark Barron does return,
giving the unit a solid leader
and an All-American player around
which to build. He is everything
to this defense in 2010 and
can play either safety spot
or one of the nickel/dime roles.
Robby Green, expected to start
at free safety, has been ruled
ineligible by the NCAA for 2010,
making the youth movement that
much more important. How quickly
the young corners develop will
be key. Phelon Jones, a former
LSU transfer, is the only player
with starts to his credit (from
2008). Three former five-star
recruits (Kirkpatrick, Scott
and Milliner) are in the mix,
as is John Fulton. The athletic
potential is enormous but understanding
these coverages will make for
some struggles. Out of all the
newbies, Dre Kirkpatrick wasted
little time this spring in declaring
that he was one of the top contenders
in this entire secondary behind
Barron. B.J. Scott is the most
physical of the CBs and seems
a lock the other spot.
|
|
DB
Mark Barron (PHOTO: Alabama
media relations)
|
|
|
ALABAMA
2010 DEPTH CHART
Returning
Starters/Key
Players |
DEFENSE |
DE |
Luther
Davis-Sr (6-3, 279) |
Damion
Square-So (6-3, 284) |
NT |
Josh
Chapman-Jr (6-1, 310) |
Kerry
Murphy-So (6-4, 319) |
DE |
Marcell
Dareus-Jr (6-4, 306) |
Undra
Billingsley-So (6-2,
269) |
SLB |
Jerrell
Harris-Jr (6-3, 231) |
Chavis
Williams-Sr (6-4,
223)
Jonathan Atchison-RFr
(6-2, 228) |
MLB |
Nico
Johnson-So (6-3, 238) |
Tana
Patrick-RFr (6-3,
231) |
WLB |
Dont'a
Hightower-So (6-4,
260) |
Chris
Jordan-Jr (6-3, 232) |
JACK |
Courtney
Upshaw-Jr (6-2, 263) |
Alex
Watkins-Jr (6-3, 232)
Ed Stinson-RFr (6-4,
252) |
CB |
B.J.
Scott-So (5-11, 193) |
Phelon
Jones-Jr (5-11, 199) |
CB |
Dre
Kirkpatrick-So (6-3,
190) |
John
Fulton-Fr (6-0, 179)
DeMarcus Milliner-Fr
(6-1, 182) |
SS |
Mark
Barron-Jr (6-2, 210) |
Wesley
Neighbors-Jr (6-1,
210)
Nick Perry-Fr (6-2,
195) |
FS |
Robert
Lester-So (6-2, 206) |
Rod
Woodson-So (5-11,
199)
Jarrick Williams-Fr
(6-2, 205) |
P |
Jay
Williams-Fr (6-4,
220) |
Sam
Buckingham-RFr (5-11,
197) |
|
|
|
2010
SPECIAL TEAMS |
Alabama
loses veterans at place kicker,
punter, snapper, holder and
all kick returns. Freshman kicker
Cade Foster enrolled in January.
Foster has power in his leg,
and proved such while drilling
most of his second half kickoffs
out of the back of the end zone
in Alabama's A-Day spring game.
Freshman punter Jay Williams
won't arrive until August; don't
be surprised if one of the offensive/defensive
players gives punting a shot.
There are not many other options.
Julio Jones backed up Javier
Arenas returning punts lat fall
and was effective to some degree
in a limited role. One would
have to believe he has the upper
hand based on his overall quickness
and shifty abilities. Powerful
RB Trent Richardson could emerge
as the leading kickoff returner.
|
|
|
|