Alabama Tide 2008 College Football Predictions

Nick Saban led the Crimson Tide to a 7-6 record in year one. The expectations will no doubt rise in year 2 with the touted coach behind the wheel despite last season's late collapse. SportsBetting.com has the Alabama Tide 60 to 1 odds to win the 2009 BCS Championship. Can Saban have the Tide challenging for tops in the SEC West in just his second year in command? Find out the chances in College Football Predictions Expert Jeff Alexander 's 2008 Alabama Crimson Tide predictions for Point-Spreads.com.

Offense – Offensive Coordinator Major Applewhite left to return to his alma mater so Saban hired Fresno State Coordinator Jim McElwain. On paper it looks like a good move as McElwain's offense averaged 419.5 yards and 32.9 points per game last season. I know the defense is much better in the SEC, but McElwain should be able to make the offense a threat. He has the good fortune of inheriting a proven QB in John Parker Wilson. This will be Wilson's third season under center and he'll have the luxury of two Outland Trophy candidates to block for him. If Alabama can eliminate turnovers and do a better job of feeding the playmakers, we could see some nice improvement this year. With big play receivers Keith Brown and DJ Hall gone, expect running back Terry Grant to get the ball in a variety of ways. Grant set a freshman record with 891 yards last season. Saban was able to pull off the nation's top-rated recruiting class and I won't speculate if that was due to some nice alumni benefits. From that class, receivers Julio Jones and Burton Scott could make an immediate impact.

Defense – The defensive line doesn't have much depth and that could become a real problem as Bama can't afford any injuries. Bobby Greenwood, Brandon Deaderick, and Lorenzo Washington are a solid group of starters, but after that no one is proven. It's the same story at linebacker. Rolando McClain can and will play well, but the other two spots are still uncertain. Prince Hall was suspended indefinitely during the spring and Ezekial Knight is waiting to be medically cleared to play after getting surgery to repair a heart murmur. This means that it looks like QB – turned running back – turned linebacker Jimmy Johns will get a chance to play immediately along with Cory Reamer and converted fullback Baron Huber. These guys which have switched positions are great athletes, but will no doubt go through some growing pains. Rashad Johnson is as solid a safety as you'll find in the league and Justin Woodall is very much improved at the other safety slot. The cornerback position could be a weak spot, however, with unproven players stepping in to play full time.

Special Teams – Placekicker Leigh Tiffin is solid. His 111 points last season set a single season Alabama record for points by a kicker. He had 10 field goals of 40 or more yards to lead the SEC. You'll most likely see this guy playing on Sunday's in the near future. The punt return game is also in good hands with Javier Arenas. He ranked 2nd in the SEC and 12th nationally with a 15.4 yards per return average.

College Football Predictions for the 2008 Alabama Tide – 3rd in SEC West

With a great recruiting class, better days are most certainly ahead for the Tide and its faithful, but they are not ready to contend for a title yet. I think you'll see better than 7-6 this season and next year you might just see them rule the SEC West.

SportsBetting.com has posted football betting odds on various 2008 College Football Predictions:Alabama        
60 – 1
    
Arizona        
100 – 1
    
Arizona St        
100 – 1
    
Arkansas        
100 – 1
    
Auburn        
40 – 1
    
Boise St        
100 – 1
    
Boston College        
100 – 1
    
California        
100 – 1
    
Clemson        
30 – 1
    
Florida        
6 – 1
    
Florida St        
60 – 1
    
Georgia        
6 – 1
    
Georgia Tech        
100 – 1
    
Illinois        
50 – 1
    
Iowa        
100 – 1
    
Kansas        
75 – 1
    
Kansas St        
100 – 1
    
Kentucky        
100 – 1
    
LSU        
12 – 1
    
Louisville        
100 – 1
    
Maryland        
100 – 1
    
Miami FL        
100 – 1
    
Michigan        
30 – 1
    
Michigan St        
100 – 1
    
Missouri        
15 – 1
    
Nebraska        
75 – 1
    
North Carolina        
100 – 1
    
North Carolina St        
100 – 1
    
Notre Dame        
100 – 1
    
Ohio St        
6 – 1
    
Oklahoma        
6 – 1
    
Oklahoma St        
100 – 1
    
Oregon        
100 – 1
    
Oregon St        
100 – 1
    
Penn St        
50 – 1
    
Rutgers        
100 – 1
    
South Carolina        
75 – 1
    
South Florida        
100 – 1
    
Tennessee        
100 – 1
    
Texas        
30 – 1
    
Texas A&M        
100 – 1
    
Texas Tech        
75 – 1
    
UCLA        
75 – 1
    
USC        
3 – 1
    
Virginia        
100 – 1
    
Virginia Tech        
40 – 1
    
Wake Forest        
100 – 1
    
West Virginia        
20 – 1
    
Wisconsin        
50 – 1
    
Field (Any Other Team)        
25 – 1