2008 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Preview

2008 Alabama Crimson Tide season preview from Maddux Sports. Below you can find our official Alabama Crimson Tide football preview as well as the 2008 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Schedule. We also offer a free odds comparison service of lines and totals on the NCAA football odds page.

Coach: Nick Saban (2nd year at Alabama)
Team Name: Crimson Tide
2007 Overall Record: 7-6
Returning Starters: 13

Last season the Alabama Crimson Tide (7- 6 overall, 4-4 SEC) took third-place under new head coach Nick Saban (113-65-1 in 14 years). The team’s 7-6 record helped them capture an Independence Bowl berth. The Tide met and beat Colorado 30-24 in that contest.

Alabama QB John Parker Wilson (462 ATT, 255 COMP, 2,846 YDS, 18 TDs, 12 INT), now a senior, holds the single season school records for most touchdowns and most passing yards. Can he break his own records in his final year? He’ll have to adjust to Bama’s new offensive coordinator, Jim McElwain, and that could blunt the explosive field general’s output a bit. Another problem for the QB is his depleted group of receivers. The good news is that freshman WR Julio Jones could be a major contributor from the start. The offensive line is solid and experienced, which bodes well for the running backs who will be led by sophomore Terry Grant (180 CAR, 891 YDS, 8 TDs).

Last season, the Crimson Tide’s defense had a tough time against the passing game. Although SS Rashad Johnson, who had six interceptions last season, will be a stabilizing influence in 2008, the rest of the secondary looks suspect. Two important linebackers from last season are questionable—Ezekial Knight (heart ailment) and Prince Hall (suspension from spring practice). Losing either or both will leave huge holes in that area. The soundest group is the frontline. Still the loss of Wallace Gilberry and his 10 sacks will have an effect.

The toss up game for Alabama will be against Mississippi State on November 15. The Tide enjoys home field advantage in that contest. The final game of the regular season against Auburn looks like an automatic loss. Alabama has lost six straight games to the Tigers. If Alabama can beat any of the powerhouses—Clemson, Georgia, Tennessee, LSU or Auburn—they’ll have pulled a major upset.

There are major depth problems this season for the Tide despite the fact that Nick Saban has probably recruited the best frosh class in the country. The talent is there but so too is the inexperience. It’s doubtful that Alabama can do any better than they did last season.

Alabama Crimson Tide Football Schedule

Date	Opponent	Home/Away
Aug 30	Clemson	Neutral
Sep 6	Tulane	Home
Sep 13	Western Kentucky	Home
Sep 20	Arkansas	Away
Sep 27	Georgia	Away
Oct 4	Kentucky	Home
Oct 18	Mississippi	Home
Oct 25	Tennessee	Away
Nov 1	Arkansas State	Home
Nov 8	LSU	Away
Nov 15	Mississippi State	Home
Nov 29	Auburn	Home

 

For more info on the 2008 Alabama Crimson Tide football program, view the Crimson Tide official website or scroll down below to read up on the rest of the SEC competition.