The Capstone

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I think the Tide struggled to find an offensive identity early in the season, largely due to mediocre play from the O-line. I also felt that the Nussmeier relied to much on the passing game, instead of the wear 'em down running approach we're used to seeing. I really believe that Alabama's best approach to winning games, based on their talent, will be to open up the passing game with a hard-nosed rushing attack.
Alabama's defensive success has always centered around their ability to stop the run. Trey DePriest is a guy that is built for clogging up the middle. Surrounded by a young group of LBs with limited experience, Alabama will need to rely heavily on DePriest's knowledge of Kirby Smart's defense. I think he has a big opportunity to improve his draft stock this season, and continue the Tide's trend of high draft selections coming from the LB position. He's not the complete LB we've seen from recent Bama defenses (Hightower,McClain, Ryans), but his ability to shed blockers at the point of attack cannot be overlooked.
It's tough to predict these type of games before any football is played. Ole Miss is an intriguing team heading into 2014, and the first month in their schedule is favorable. I'm interested to see what kind of O-line they'll have after losing Golson and Swindall. The Rebels failed to establish the running game vs Alabama last season, only managing 46 yards on 25 carries. I also thought Bo Wallace was never able to stretch the field vertically. Both of those areas will need to improve in order for the upset. Defensively, I think Ole Miss will have a pretty solid DB unit - a group that help McCarron to only 180 yards and no TDs in 2013. The Rebels' front seven returns some stars, and I'm anxious to see how well they'll defend the Tide rushing attack (allowed 254 yards on the ground against Tide last season). All in all, it's too early to tell what will happen in October. Alabama still needs to find a QB, and replace key pieces on the offensive line. I do think Alabama's defense will be solid, and Freeze has done little against the Tide D in two seasons. Anyway, I'm glad that football is right around the corner. RTR!
The numerous position battles have me excited for Fall camp. It's safe to assume we'll see a talented rotation at ILB with Ragland, Foster, and DePriest. Dillon Lee and Denzel Devall seem to have the OLB spots locked up with a veteran backup in Xxavier Dickson. Tomlinson, A'Shawn Robinson, and Jonathan Allen will most likely be the starters on D-line, but will be one of the deepest units once suspensions are served. The CB unit may be young, but if Humphrey and Brown can get brought up to speed quickly, they have a chance to compete for PT. I think the DB leadership will come from the veterans on the Safety unit, which features Landon Collins and Nick Perry. The most intriguing position battle offensively is obviously at the QB position, but we are still a few weeks out from a starter being named. I do think Blake Sims will put up a good fight despite his A-Day performance. Coker seemed nervous in his first few practices, but it's easy to see his potential. The offensive line has big shoes to fill, especially at LT. At this point it's a toss up, but I expect Cam Robinson to win that battle. I anticipate Kiffin's offense to be more run-based than last season, so don't be surprised if the TE rotation features a blocking compliment to Howard and Vogler, maybe Dakota Ball.
McMillon will be a great addition to any team he chooses. Whitehaven High School has always been a hotbed for talent, and even produced current Ole Miss RB Mark Dodson, and former Alabama RB Curtis Alexander.
Alabama continues to add big name opponents in the Saban years - Florida State, Penn State, Virginia Tech, Michigan, Clemson, West Virginia, Wisconsin (2015), and now Southern Cal in 2016. Alabama has an all-time record of 5-2 over the Trojans, the latest being a 24-3 Tide victory in 1985. Hopefully by 2016, USC will be a title contending team, creating quite the atmosphere in Cowboys Stadium.
I never said Ole Miss lacked talent, but I do think there are four other programs in the West that have more talent and depth. And yes, OM's weakest unit heading into Fall camp will be the offensive line. I also think Wallace will need to stretch the field more in 2014. I think that facet of his game proved to be a major weakness against Alabama; that combined with the lack of support from the running game. I predict that the Rebs will be able to start the season 4-0, with good measuring-sticks vs Vandy and ULL. I think Bama hands them a loss in Oxford (I think the Tide's defense has all the right pieces in place to be scary). Playing Texas A&M on the road is never an easy task, so I'll leave that as a toss-up. Tennessee is still a few seasons away from competing, but back-to-back games against Auburn and LSU will be tough to handle (I don't see Les Miles losing back-to-back years to Freeze). After that gauntlet, OM should gain two more wins against Arkansas and Presbyterian. And then the Egg Bowl will be a toss-up. I think anywhere from 7-9 wins is a good prediction, but like I said, stranger things have happened. I like the young talent at Ole Miss, and I've gotten to see a lot of them play back in their high school days (Tony Connor and Mark Dodson were beasts). But at the end of the day, I think when you combine the talent and coaching at Alabama, Auburn, and LSU, it makes life in the SEC Westa tough road.
I don't get the sense that fans are downing the Mississippi schools in anyway, as much as they are recognizing the talent possessed by other teams in the West. To assume or predict that Mullen or Freeze will somehow out-coach/out-perform Bama, Auburn, LSU, and A&M all in one season is too much. State and Ole Miss have talent, yes. But the quality depth doesn't compare to the big contenders. Will they be in play for some big upsets? Of course. Stranger things have happened. I also think that the whole "disrespect" rant is way overplayed. I gave my fair assessment of how I thought MSU's season would play out, and left 1-2 possible upset wins out there. SEC fans have seen this type of hype coming out of Mississippi before and it seems to always crash and burn by the end of the season (I seem to recall a preseason top-10 Rebel team in 2009 that went 9-4). Anyway, it's too early for debate.
I think putting Dak in the preseason Heisman discussion is a bit of a stretch. Prescott is a versatile QB with a lot of potential upside, but his body of work in 2013 doesn't put him atop the Heisman watch list. At times, he proved to be a solid alternative to Tyler Russell, but we also witnessed some not-so-Heisman play out of the young signal caller. There are a number of things that need to fall in place for him to be in the discussion at the end of the season - including raising his completion percentage above 60%, and impressing the voters in big SEC West games. His wins as a QB in 2013 included Alcorn State, Bowling Green, Troy, Kentucky, and Ole Miss (a game where he only completed 11 of 20 passing). I'm not here to say that Dak won't be in consideration come December, but the road will be tough and the talent in the West trumps any other conference division. Another thing to consider is the other Heisman contending QBs he'll be trying to outperform - Winston, Mariota, Petty, etc.
It's always disappointing to see guys fail to take responsibility for themselves during the offseason (even more disappointing is that he's a JUCO transfer and not just some wide-eyed kid experiencing college for the first time). Jarran Reed might have to drop down on an already loaded DL depth chart heading into Fall camp.
I think it's safe to expect a 7-8 win season from the Bulldogs in 2014. The schedule, with light out-of-conference opponents, works in their favor. Still, playing in the West has its obstacles. MSU should be able to start the season 3-0 with relative comfort, but traveling to LSU will give Mullen his first loss (MSU has always played LSU poorly in the Mullen years). Following a trip to Death Valley, Prescott will have to prove his durability in back-to-backs games against Texas A&M and Auburn. The next 3 opponents should get the Dawgs in bowl contention - Arkansas, Kentucky, and UT Martin. The final 3 games will be tough - Vandy, Alabama, and Ole Miss. I think you're right about MSU playing the role of spoiler once again, but from an overall talent perspective, I think they lack the pieces to be a contender for the West crown.
This class could still turn out great. Especially with the likes of Humphrey, Jalen Tabor, Brian Wallace, Fournette/Mixon, and Matt Elam left to decide. I'm also hearing that former Tide DL, DJ Pettway, could be returning to Tuscaloosa.
Great news following a loss. Judging by his recent tweets, and of course the scouting predictions, I think Matt Elam may be leaning towards Alabama as well. With recruits like Hunphrey, Fournette, Mixon, and Carter still to decide, Saban could reel in his best recruiting class thus far.
Things could get scary if Alabama lands Humphrey, Elam, and Fournette (all 5-stars). Lance Thompson might earn himself a statue pretty soon.
Like I said before, it's a long time between now and January for Robinson to live in LSU country. I hope he stays solid on Alabama, he'll be able to contribute right away. Next up for the Tide - Laurence "Hootie" Jones.
Cedric Burns said there are two types of coaches at Alabama. "There's the ones with statues and there's the ones without. And the thing is, the ones without statues are all different. But the ones with statues are all the same." That was the most memorable line from St. James' piece on Saban. The Bear never worried about being perceived as the greatest coach, he just wanted to remembered as a winner. And I think Saban feels the same way. And he isn't a guy that's going to try to find a short-cut, or do enough to just get by. He wants to win by do doing all of the little things the right way, or else he's not satisfied. Will Saban pass Bryant as the king if college football? He's probably the most worthy candidate since Bear's era. But the thing I'll remember most about both coaches is how their players talk about them with such reverence.
It's hard to get a good read on 18 year old's decisions, but I think Alabama has a good chance of snagging Robinson. Bama has a legitimate offer of early playing time, considering the expected departure of Cyrus Kouandjio after this season. Even so, with Robinson committing so early in the recruiting season, I have no doubt that both teams will continue to go after him until the end. Robinson plans to be an early enrollee for whichever school he chooses. If he does choose Alabama, it's still a long time before January to be living in LSU country. If he does in fact stay with Alabama, Sabam will continue his streak of steering top Louisiana talent to Tuscaloosa - in the past, Alabama has been able to recruit big names from LA that include Eddie Lacy, Kenny Bell, this year's Cameron Sims, and last year's Tim Williams.
And if that Offensive Tackle from Booker T. Washington isn't getting any looks, he needs to be, after completely shutting down Lorenzo Carter last weekend.
Hand would be another huge pickup for the Tide, but Michigan seems to be the front runner with Florida in the mix as well. His decision will come November 14th. Fournette is a long shot for Bama, although Saban gave him a good impression when he said,"I do not need you, but I want you." However his visits to Baton Rouge are well into the double-digits. I feel 90% sure that Marlon will roll with the Tide, but you can never too sure - Florida State is also a contender.
Alabama or LSU will pick up a great recruit in Cameron Robinson. I wonder if Cameron Sims' commitment to Bama, this past weekend, will influence Robinson in any way. Sims' father is actually the godfather of Robinson, and rumor is that big Robinson will be in attendance for the Alabama/Virginia Tech game on Saturday.