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5 storylines to follow at 2019 SEC Football Media Days

By Jake Mitchell

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts during the press conference after his teams 44-16 loss to the Clemson Tigers in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts during the press conference after his teams 44-16 loss to the Clemson Tigers in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 07: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts during the press conference after his teams 44-16 loss to the Clemson Tigers in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi’s Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 07: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts during the press conference after his teams 44-16 loss to the Clemson Tigers in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi’s Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

1. Will Alabama win the title?

After having the sport to themselves, with the occasional challenger, for most of Nick Saban’s tenure, the Alabama Crimson Tide finally have an equal. Some think they may even be better.

With Clemson’s 44-16 victory in the national title game, many are now questioning the future of Nick Saban and Alabama. Despite the undefeated, dominant regular season and SEC Championship, all of the focus has been put on that blowout game. It was the first time Saban’s Tide had been truly blown out, and it was the game that defined the season.

Now, as 2019 nears, the question isn’t whether or not Alabama will get to the College Football Playoff. There are good teams in the conference, like Florida, Texas A&M, and Auburn, but Alabama is undoubtedly the favorite. Georgia will be close, but history has shown that Saban has Smart’s number so far.

The question for Alabama is what they can do once they get to the final four. Have Trevor Lawrence and Clemson taken over? Have the Tide been supplanted?

There are some important subplots for Alabama. Steve Sarkisian takes over as offensive coordinator. Saban has replaced a large chunk of hist staff, something he’s had to get used to in recent years.

Tua Tagovailoa will be on a quest to win the Heisman Trophy as well. Kyler Murray overtook Tua to win it in 2018, and there’s no doubt that the Tide quarterback will be refocused this season.

Next. Top 30 skill position players for 2019. dark

Ultimately, however, there is one goal in Tuscaloosa. Will they get back to the top of the mountain, or has a new king been crowned?

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