Alabama is once again expected to be the SEC’s representative in the College Football Playoff this season. There might not be a more impressive roster from top to bottom — especially at running back and linebacker — but the team still has concerns.

Overall, it’s a roster that deserves confidence, but exactly how much? Here’s a position-by-position breakdown.

QB

Jalen Hurts

Confidence meter: 7 out of 10

Why: Regarding the quarterback situation in Tuscaloosa, the Crimson Tide must be more confident heading into this season relative to the prior three. For the first time since AJ McCarron in 2013, Alabama has a returning starter.

Hurts has shown signs of improvement during the offseason, and there is no reason to believe that he won’t continue to build on last year’s performance. The development of a consistent deep ball will make him one of the biggest threats in college football.

Despite his youth, the backup position should also be better off with former 5-star Tua Tagovailoa on campus.

RB

Bo Scarbrough, Damien Harris, Josh Jacobs

Confidence meter: 10 out of 10

Alabama had one 1,000-yard rusher in 2016 (Damien Harris, 1,037) and nearly had two more (QB Jalen Hurts, 954, and Bo Scarbrough, 812).

Why: The running backs are the only unit on offense who I have complete, 100-percent confidence in. From top to bottom, there isn’t a deeper group on the roster.

Despite being listed as a co-starter, Damien Harris might be the least talented player of the group — that’s not a poor reflection on him, however. He is, of course, the only running back on the team who has run for 1,000 yards in a season.

Two true freshman, Najee Harris and Brian Robinson, could be immediate starters for most teams. While Robinson could redshirt, he still provides impressive depth.

WR

Calvin Ridley, Robert Foster, Cam Sims, Jerry Jeudy

Confidence meter: 9 out of 10

Why: A part of me wanted to give this unit a perfect 10 as well, but I decided against it. Ridley is the alpha in this group, but this position is extremely deep.

The trio of Jeudy, Devonta Smith and Henry Ruggs III has taken this unit to an entirely different level — especially Jeudy. Sims is currently listed as the No. 3 receiver, but don’t be surprised if Jeudy takes a hold of that spot sooner rather than later.

Foster’s inability to stay healthy was the main contributing factor in bumping this unit down to a 9.

TE

Miller Forristall, Hale Hentges

Confidence meter: 7 out of 10

Why: O.J. Howard’s talent is tough to replace, but he wasn’t really used consistently anyway. A combination of Forristall, Hentges and Irv Smith Jr. should give this unit continued success.

OL

Jonah Williams, Ross Pierschbacher, Bradley Bozeman, Lester Cotton, Jedrick Wills

Confidence meter: 8 out of 10

Why: The first thing you might notice is that I have true freshman Wills as the starter at right tackle rather than Matt Womack. I believe that ends up being the case sooner rather than later.

Womack is a liability in pass protection, and I believe he will only be given so much leeway — especially against a formidable Florida State pass rush — before Wills is given the job. While he will have growing pains, Wills completes this unit and gives Alabama one of the best offensive lines in the country.

Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

DL

Da’Ron Payne, Da’Shawn Hand, Raekwon Davis

Confidence meter: 8 out of 10

Why: Full disclosure: My confidence level in the front seven is going to be relative to last year’s group. I believe the defensive line will continue to be good, but I don’t foresee them being able to fully replace a player of Jonathan Allen’s caliber.

That’s not the end of the world, but it does skew things a little bit. Like most positions on Alabama’s roster, this group is deep. Isaiah Buggs, Quinnen Williams and Josh Frazier gives the defensive line the depth necessary to hold up over the course of the entire season. Davis could be the Tide’s most improved player from last season.

EDGE

Christian Miller, Anfernee Jennings, Terrell Lewis

Confidence meter: 7 out of 10

Why: Again, this confidence meter is relative to last season. It’s extremely difficult to replace the level of production that Tim Williams and Ryan Anderson gave this team over the past two years — 34.5 total sacks between them.

In limited action, Miller, Jennings and Lewis have all shown that they are capable replacements, however. Miller might lead the team in sacks but I believe Lewis will become the most dominant player of the three.

LB

Shaun Dion Hamilton, Rashaan Evans

Confidence meter: 10 out of 10

Why: Inside linebacker is the deepest unit on the defense. Dion Hamilton and Evans will once again allow Alabama to claim one of the best duos in the country — as long as Dion Hamilton can show he’s fully recovered from his torn ACL.

In addition, guys like Mack Wilson and Dylan Moses provide excellent depth. Like with the backup running backs, these guys would be starting — and thriving — on almost any other team in the country.

Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

DB

Minkah Fitzpatrick, Ronnie Harrison, Anthony Averett, Tony Brown, Trevon Diggs

Confidence meter: 9 out of 10

At 13 points a game in 2016, the Tide led the nation in scoring defense for the fourth time in 12 years.

Why: As long as the rest of this group stays healthy, one player will determine the success of this unit: Diggs. After moving from wide receiver to cornerback, Diggs is still learning the nuances of the position, but the reviews have been positive as of late.

The other four starters in this group will almost certainly play in the NFL in 2018, so that should tell you everything you need to know about the unit’s overall talent.

ST

J.K. Scott, Andy Pappanastos, Thomas Fletcher

Confidence meter: 5 out of 10

Why: The best punter in the country, and this group still only received 5 out of 10. To be honest, this unit owes Scott a lot because he is the only reason they received that 5.

Joseph Bulovas, the nation’s No. 6 kicker in the 2017 recruiting class, was suppose to push for the starting kicking job immediately, but he hasn’t lived up to expectations. The same goes for Fletcher, who is still in a heated battle with walk-on Scott Meyer to be the long snapper.

A lot of question marks with this group — especially when the punter could be forced to become the distance kicker.