OHT’s SEC West Season Predictions

Alabama Crimson Tide

The Alabama Crimson Tide have been a powerhouse inside the SEC for years. From winning championship after championship, to dominating the SEC. The Tide have had a great few years under Head Coach Nick Saban. The time for the Tide has to end, right? Not so fast my friend. Alabama continues to chug along in recruiting and on the field.

Randy –

Alabama impresses me based on their name alone. The Tide have had some of the most talented teams I have ever watched. This season should be no different. Guys like Bo Scarbrough, Cam Robinson, and Calvin Ridley are all-stars in the SEC.

Most people will point out the lack of a cornerstone quarterback for the Crimson Tide, but do they really need one? Alabama hasn’t had an NFL ready quarterback in years, and it has yet to stop them. From John Parker Wilson to Blake Sims, the Tide have had a lot of signal callers come through Tuscalooa.

The Crimson Tide defense is always a special unit to watch. This season is no different. With stars all around the defensive side of the ball, the Crimson Tide are ready to roll into this season with high hopes.

My prediction: 11-1; second in the SEC West

I have Alabama losing only one game, a third straight loss to Ole Miss. Until the Tide can prove to me that they can beat Ole Miss, I will pick the Rebels.

Kevin –

The Tide are coming off a National Championship run. But they lose key members of the championship team. They no longer have the Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry. But the loss they will feel early will be that of Jake Coker.

The lack of an experienced quarterback and the presence of a young running back in Bo Scarbrough will hurt them early in the season. The Rebels get them at the right time.

My Prediction: 10-2; second in the SEC West

Tucker –

Alabama has signed the top recruiting class just about every year since Saban has been there and it shows on the football field. No matter how many guys they see go pro, they always seem to just reload with another 5-star talent and end up in the top echelon of schools in the country.

This year is no different as they are looking to replace their quarterback and several guys in their front seven with multiple 4/5-stars. The difference? The QB likely to step in will be a redshirt freshman in Blake Barnett.

Alabama also lost top defensive veterans in A’Shawn Robinson, Jarran Reed, Reggie Ragland, and Cyrus Jones. Ole Miss catches them in the beginning of the year again while they’re working through their kinks, so I believe they will lose that game, ultimately placing them behind Ole Miss in the West.

My prediction: 11-1; second in the SEC West

Tyler –

The Crimson Tide lost a lot after last year and don’t have that Heisman candidate running back to depend on like the last few years. Nick Saban and co. always end up at the top of the recruiting rankings.

The Tide will have plenty of talent to fill the positions that are left vacant by the Sr’s and draft eligible Jr’s. The Tide have a very tough schedule with road games against Ole Miss, Tennessee, LSU, Arkansas and an opening weekend game vs the USC Trojans.

If Bama struggles to find answers for all the holes they have to fill, Ole Miss could easily end up in the top position in the West. However, history is with the Crimson Tide. The Crimson Tide have lost no more than 1 regular season game in the last 5+ years. Until Bama shows they can lose more than 1 regular season game or another team can beat Bama and lose no more than one I’ll stick with the Crimson Tide.

My Prediction: 11-1; first in the SEC West

Next: SEC West: Arkansas