Alabama started the season as the number one ranked team in the nation and stayed there all the way until the conclusion of the season. The Tide dominated their regular season schedule, scoring 50+ points in eight of those games, while also shutting out ranked opponents LSU and Mississippi State.
Saban’s team was not challenged until the SEC Championship game against Georgia, when backup quarterback Jalen Hurts had to relieve injured Heisman runner-up, Tua Tagovailoa. Alabama would escape with a 35-28 win over the Bulldogs, before taking out Oklahoma in their College Football Playoff semi-final and losing to Clemson after that.
Also check out our preview of the 2019 Clemson Tigers team.
They Seen Me 2018..They Gonna Feel Me 2019…? pic.twitter.com/SGk7mTSYhK
JJ? (@jerryjeudy) January 31, 2019
After getting his Heisman hopes dashed by Kyler Murray, Tua Tagovailoa returns to Tuscaloosa looking for redemption. The junior from Hawaii will have last year’s Biletnikoff Award winner, Jerry Jeudy, as his top target along with receivers Henry Ruggs III and Jaylen Waddle. Alabama’s run game will be powered by Najee Harris, who will likely be the cowbell back.
As far as the defense is concerned, leading tackler Dylan Moses returns, as does outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings, who is the Tide’s top returning pass rusher with 5.5 sacks in 2018.
Another year, another class loaded with NFL draft picks; such is life for the Crimson Tide who churn out prospects with ease, as evidenced by their nation leading 10 draft selections. Although they are just as capable of recovering from such a loss of talent, many of their departures hit hard, particularly in the trenches.
Three starters on the offensive line are now gone, as left tackle Jonah Williams, center Ross Pierschbacher, and guard Lester Cotton are now on NFL rosters. Likewise, the defensive line lost a chunk of talent in third overall pick Quinnen Williams, edge rusher Christian Miller, and defensive tackle Isaiah Buggs. Top two rushers Damien Harris and Josh Jacobs are the cherry on top for what proved to be a deep draft class.
Heisman next year…??
Trey sanders (@6sixGod_) December 9, 2018
Operating an NFL pipeline requires strong recruiting, an area that Saban’s staff has completely mastered. The most recent crop is no exception, ranking second in the nation with an overall average rating of four stars among their 27 signees.
The Tide went after two pairs of recruits from dominant high school programs in Florida, nabbing Trey Sanders and Evan Neal from IMG Academy, while also signing Jordan Battle and Braylen Ingraham from St. Thomas Aquinas High School. Alabama went outside their geographic area to gain a commitment from the top defensive tackle recruit, Antonio Alfano from New Jersey, who is also the fifth overall ranked prospect in the class of 2019.
Date | Opponent |
---|---|
August 31st | Duke (at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta) |
September 7th | New Mexico State |
September 14th | at South Carolina |
September 21st | Southern Mississippi |
September 28th | Mississippi |
October 12th | at Texas A&M |
October 19th | Tennessee |
October 26th | Arkansas |
November 9th | LSU |
November 16th | at Mississippi State |
November 23rd | Western Carolina |
November 30th | at Auburn |
With only four true road games on the docket, Alabama’s road to the College Football Playoff is not overly intimidating. Perhaps the biggest test for the Tide will come in College Station against Texas A&M, with Kyle Field always a tough venue to play in. LSU could possibly trip them up, although hated rival Auburn should be a bigger obstacle, as Alabama lost the last meeting at Jordan-Hare Stadium in 2017.
Like their ACC nemesis, the Clemson Tigers, Alabama will have to go undefeated to reach the over on their 11 win projection at 888Sport. Given the schedule and their talent, another SEC title and playoff berth should not be out of the question.
Sportsbook | Alabama | Link |
---|---|---|
888Sport NJ | -150 |
* 21+ | NJ only | If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER
Sportsbook | Yes | No | Link |
---|---|---|---|
888Sport NJ | -250 | +200 |
* 21+ | NJ only | If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER
Regular season only. Conference championship games do not count.
Sportsbook | Over 11 | Under 11 | Link |
---|---|---|---|
888Sport NJ | +100 | -121 |
* 21+ | NJ only | If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER
We support responsible gambling. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. If you need help, call 1-800-Gambler.
WSN.com is managed by Gentoo Media. Unless declared otherwise, all of the visible content on this site, such as texts and images, including the brand name and logo, belongs to Innovation Labs Limited (a Gentoo Media company) - Company Registration Number C44130, VAT ID: MT18874732, @GIG Beach Triq id-Dragunara, St. Julians, STJ3148, Malta.
Advertising Disclosure: WSN.com contains links to partner websites. When a visitor to our website clicks on one of these links and makes a purchase at a partner site, World Sports Network is paid a commission.
Copyright © 2024