Alabama ready to repeat

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the 13th in a series of previews of the 2016 SEC football teams:
ALABAMA:
The Crimson Tide has claimed three out of the last five national championships and many experts are expecting Alabama to win it all again this season.
The offense returns six starters, including rising star Calvin Ridley at receiver and standout left tackle Cam Robinson.
Tight end OJ Howard – the star of the national championship win over Clemson – also returns.
With the exit of Jake Coker, the starting quarterback battle is between Cooper Bateman, Blake Barnett, David Cornwell and Jalen Hurts.
Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry (2,219 yards and 28 touchdowns) is also gone, but Bo Scarbrough appears to be the next star running back for the Crimson Tide.
Ridley and Howard are not the only cathing threats, as ArDarius Stewart and Robert Foster also return this season.
Also add in Bowling Green graduate transfer Gehrig Dieter and the passing game could help lead the Tide to another SEC West title.
Robinson is one of the best in the offensive linemen in the nation, and he is joined by Ross Pierschbacher, Alphonse Taylor and Charles Baldwin.
This unit allowed only 1.73 sacks a game last season, so the bar is set high for the new starters.
Defensive end Jonathan Allen (12 sacks in 2015) is among the nation’s top returning players.
Da’Shawn Hand, Dalvin Tomlinson and Da’Ron Payne should also help the defensive line.
Linebacker star Reggie Ragland is gone, but Reuben Foster will fill that void.
Tim Williams (10.5 sacks), Rashaan Evans, Ryan Anderson and Christian Miller are other names to watch.
The secondary miss the presence of cornerback Cyrus Jones but Eddie Jackson, the former cornerback who became an All-America safety, will be a crucial facet as Alabama transitions from Kirby Smart to new coordinator Jeremy Pruitt.
Alabama opens the season with a big test against USC in Arlington, Texas.
The Tide should survive that challenge by the Trojans and then cruise past Western Kentucky to set up the challenge at Ole Miss.
Can the Rebels beat the Tide three straight times?
My guess is no.
Romps past Kent State and Kentucky will set up another road test at Arkansas.
If Alabama grabs road wins over Ole Miss and Arkansas, the tide may turn at Tennessee on Oct. 15 as the Volunteers could grab a close upset.
Alabama will rebound against Texas A&M but the biggest game of the SEC West then happens at Death Valley.
The Tide’s chances for the conference title and the playoffs depends on this game.
A win by LSU should ruin Alabama’s season.
The Tide finishes year with three straight home games and consecutive victories.
Alabama should roll past Mississippi State and UT Chattanooga to set up the rivalry Iron Bowl showdown with Auburn.
The Tigers have upset the Tide before, but not this year.
At worst, Alabama will finish 10-2 and LSU is the SEC West champion.
At best, the Crimson Tide will be 11-1 and advance to the SEC championship and another playoff run.

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