Unlike many teams where there are just two candidates (similar to Alabama’s situation in 2011 with AJ McCarron and Phillip Sims), Alabama’s quarterback battle this season is, at least to the public eye, wide open.

Each candidate has a reason to win the job: Cooper Bateman has the most experience in the system, the most game experience and solid athleticism; David Cornwell has experience and a strong arm; Blake Barnett, while lacking experience, was the most highly regarded coming out of high school; Jalen Hurts showed the ability to extend plays and has a strong arm, although he is a true freshman and took too many sacks in an otherwise strong showing at the A-Day spring game.

Whoever wins the job will have an enormous amount of pressure to win games and be a leader on the team.

Probably the next most important question involves: How will the depth chart look for the players charged with protecting the quarterback? Cam Robinson is locked in at left tackle. Ross Pierschbacher is a good bet at center. After that, the offensive line involves a lot of guess work.

At right tackle, the overwhelming favorite to win the job is true freshman Jonah Williams. Williams was a five-star recruit out of high school and enrolled early in an attempt to learn the playbook and compete to win the starting job. He looked strong enough in the A-Day spring game to be penciled in as the starter.

Meanwhile, Korren Kirven is a dark horse candidate for the job because of his experience (he’s entering his senior season), and he looked solid this spring, too. At the very least, the team has a capable backup if Williams looks overmatched or Robinson suffers an injury setback.

Alphonse Taylor looked to be the favorite to win the starting right guard spot, but that was before he was suspended indefinitely for the latest in a series of distractions that have landed him in Nick Saban’s doghouse.

Bradley Bozeman might not be a bad option to pencil in at the position. Bozeman is a junior and has shown a willingness to play whatever position is most needed by the team. He added weight in the offseason to make him a better fit at the guard position. Still, Taylor may get it together or Dallas Warmack may step up or Brandon Kennedy may show great improvement from a lackluster spring.

Then, there is also the left guard position. All of the right guard candidates are in play for the position, but Lester Cotton is the clear-cut favorite to win the job. That guessing game should gain clarity as fall camp progresses.

While it is a far less important question, an area of intrigue is at the wide receiver position. It is an area with such an abundance of talent that it will be interesting to see who emerges at the top of the depth chart.

Three of last season’s leading receivers — Calvin Ridley, ArDarius Stewart, and O.J. Howard — all return this season. Richard Mullaney graduated, so there will be room for lesser-seen receivers to step up this season.

Robert Foster is a strong favorite among pundits as a breakout candidate. Foster had a strong spring after injuries shelved a season that featured a promising start.

Meanwhile, Cam Sims and Raheem Falkins, both with impressive size at the position, return from injury. Transfer Gehrig Dieter is a strong candidate to step in and serve as a reliable target as Mullaney did last season.

Unless there are more injuries this season, some talented receivers are likely to see limited roles. Despite this fact, there should be greater opportunities for receivers this season after the departure of Derrick Henry, who set the school record for most carries in a season. Bo Scarbrough and Damien Harris will get plenty of carries, but Alabama will rely on airing the ball out more this season.

There will be plenty of intrigue on the defensive side of the ball, especially: How will the defense be different with Jeremy Pruitt replacing Kirby Smart as defensive coordinator? While there are questions on defense, Saban’s history of producing stout defenses year after year means the biggest questions are squarely on the offensive side of the ball.