Alabama football is a juggernaut, but the competition isn’t throwing in the towel. What are the best and worst case scenarios for the Crimson Tide in 2018?
For the first time in a long time, there are doubts circling around Tuscaloosa during the offseason. They aren’t tied to the Tide’s College Football Playoff and national championship expectations, per se, but they have filled the national discourse concerning Alabama football all offseason.
These doubts, of course, surround the quarterback situation. Jalen Hurts, who brought Nick Saban’s squad to back-to-back championship games is rumored to be on his way out in favor of new hot-shot 5-star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
The truth is Alabama is going to be fine regardless of who gets the starting nod. But, will both have the same upside when it comes to bringing home another title in T-Town? Here’s how the schedule sets up for Alabama football in 2018.
Best case scenario
- Sep 1 – vs (N) Louisville – W
- Sep 8 – vs Arkansas State – W
- Sep 15 – @ Ole Miss – W
- Sep 22 – vs Texas A&M – W
- Sep 29 – vs Louisiana – W
- Oct 6 – @ Arkansas – W
- Oct 13 – vs Missouri – W
- Oct 20 – @ Tennessee – W
- Nov 3 – @ LSU – W
- Nov 10 – vs Mississippi State – W
- Nov 17 – vs Citadel – W
- Nov 24 – vs Auburn – W
Result: 12-0
A run through the gauntlet that is the SEC West hasn’t been all that challenging for Saban in the past. The real question might not be how the Tide will fair in their division, but whether or not they can topple Georgia and others in the postseason and secure yet another national championship. 12-0 just isn’t enough in Tuscaloosa, not anymore.
Worst case scenario
- Sep 1 – vs (N) Louisville – W
- Sep 8 – vs Arkansas State – W
- Sep 15 – @ Ole Miss – W
- Sep 22 – vs Texas A&M – W
- Sep 29 – vs Louisiana – W
- Oct 6 – @ Arkansas – W
- Oct 13 – vs Missouri – W
- Oct 20 – @ Tennessee – W
- Nov 3 – @ LSU – W
- Nov 10 – vs Mississippi State – W
- Nov 17 – vs Citadel – W
- Nov 24 – vs Auburn – L
Result: 11-1
Ultimately a nearly flawless season was pushed to the brink of extinction because of a loss in the Iron Bowl to rival Auburn. Nick Saban has competition in the SEC West, which this year includes a host of new coaches including Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M and Joe Moorhead at Mississippi State.
Saban should have a leg up on the newcomers, for now, but a win against Auburn is far from a sure-thing. Alabama hosts their rival this year but will have to find a way to stop Jarrett Stidham with a much younger and less experienced secondary at their disposal. It’s entirely possible Alabama starts 11-0 and misses the College Football Playoff.