The Crimson Tide get the ball rolling on spring practice on March 13. It’s a pivotal offseason for Alabama, as the Tide are replacing eight offensive starters and four on defense coming off an SEC title and a disappointing Sugar Bowl loss to finish off a 12-2 season.

What does Nick Saban’s team have to focus on this spring?

1. Determine the QB frontrunner — Saban almost certainly doesn’t want to go into the fall not knowing who the leader is in the quarterback race. It appears to be open, but Jacob Coker comes into spring practice as the leader, and he’s the only quarterback on the roster to have thrown a collegiate pass. While Alec Morris, David Cornwell, Cooper Bateman and Blake Barnett are all talented, Alabama probably won’t be able to afford many rookie growing pains if it hopes to make the playoffs. If Coker can’t establish himself, Alabama goes into 2015 with a bigger question mark than a year ago.

2. Sort out the secondary — Quarterback is the most important position on the field, but Alabama’s secondary will be just as crucial in determining the defense’s success in 2015. Stalwart safeties Landon Collins, Nick Perry and Jarrick Williams are all gone, leaving new defensive backs coach Mel Tucker (the first coach Alabama has had specifically for the position group in two years) with major holes to fill. Geno Smith will likely hold down one spot, but the rest of the depth chart is unproven. At cornerback, Alabama has fewer question marks, but the position is still a concern after last season’s inconsistencies. Cyrus Jones and Eddie Jackson both return, while Tony Brown and Marlon Humphrey should challenge for significant playing time, if not starting roles.

3. Find a pass rusher — Alabama returns a huge percentage of its defensive line performers from last year — the Tide bring back all but one defensive lineman that recorded a tackle — but there’s no obvious disruptive pass rushing force. Alabama improved at generating pressure in 2014, but sacks leader Xzavier Dickson is gone. Da’Shawn Hand, a former five-star defensive end, could develop enough to be on the field, or someone in the linebacking corps — Ryan Anderson, perhaps? — could step up to generate pressure.

4. Develop the wide receivers — The Tide’s top three receivers from 2014 are all gone, with Amari Cooper giving up his final year of eligibility and DeAndrew White and Christion Jones using theirs up. Alabama doesn’t lack for talent at receiver, with a slew of former four- and five-star recruits filling the depth chart, but all of the options are inexperienced. Cam Sims, Robert Foster, Chris Black, Raheem Falkins and others will all have a chance to show what they can do in spring practice with a chance to earn a starring role in Lane Kiffin’s offense.

5. Get the kicking game settled — The Crimson Tide’s special teams presented problems for much of the season, and their field goal kicking worsened as the season went along. After making his first seven kicks to start the season, Adam Griffith went 5-for-12 over the final 11 games of the year as he was plagued by a back issue. Alabama will need Griffith healthy, or they’ll have to turn to Gunnar Rayborn, who made 2-of-3 kicks in relief of Griffith last year, or perhaps let star punter JK Scott take a shot at pulling double duty.