SEC Network predicts every Alabama game in 2015
Are defenses starting to erase some of the advantages that uptempo offenses have built in the last five years?
That’s a question that some feel is worth debating in 2015. Alabama’s defense probably will sit at the center of that discussion, as the Tide is counting on a brutal front seven and a potential-laden, quicker secondary to offset near-wholesale changes to the starting offense.
Various media members are predicting this season as a return to the top for Bama or the year the team in Crimson finally fades.
SEC Network analysts Greg McElroy and Marcus Spears recently got together to predict Alabama’s record for the 2015 season themselves. They started with some sure wins on the board before they discussed games they think will be closer contests:
- vs. Middle Tennessee State
- vs. Louisiana-Monroe
- vs. Charleston Southern
Simple math: there are 12 regular-season games. The SEC Network believes just three of those are automatic wins for Alabama. That leaves nine potential swing games on a brutal schedule.
Remember the years when coach Nick Saban’s team could reach the BCS National Championship as long as Bama brought its ‘A’ game three times a season? Those are long gone. Alabama needs to go unbeaten at Bryant-Denny Stadium and split on the road against Georgia and Auburn to return to Atlanta.
That’s an enormous task.
Now come the matchups that are harder to decide:
SEPT. 5 — WISCONSIN VS. ALABAMA (ARLINGTON, TEXAS)
Predicted result: Win
Spears: “Wisconsin (will) be a good test out of the gate. I don’t think Wisconsin is known as a passing football team. They’ve been known for physicality. And that’s exactly what this defense is built to defend.
McElroy: “Definitely a win there. I’m anxious to see this Alabama front seven against that rushing attack that Wisconsin has.”
SEPT. 19 — OLE MISS AT ALABAMA
Predicted result: Win
McElroy: “The revenge factor. Alabama’s been thinking about this one way too long. And it’s in the friendly confines of Tuscaloosa, Alabama.”
The Rebels named Chad Kelly the starting quarterback, while Alabama has yet to settle on a starter at the position. Considering this is a matchup between likely Top 15 teams, and Ole Miss won last year, it’s far from an automatic win.
OCT. 3 — ALABAMA AT GEORGIA
Predicted result: Loss
Spears: “This is a tricky one for Alabama. I think they go into Athens and they suffer a defeat. I think Mark Richt is trying to make a statement early in this football season that he has a team that’s capable of even being mentioned in the College Football Playoff.”
McElroy: “If you’re going to pick Alabama to go undefeated, then sure. But if you’re going to pick a loss, that’s probably one of the more likely scenarios. I think (the Tide) will lose one game on the road. I think Georgia’s one of the best road teams they’ll play. Also Auburn.”
OCT. 10 — ARKANSAS AT ALABAMA
Predicted result: Win
McElroy: “We’ll give them wins at home.”
OCT. 17 — ALABAMA AT TEXAS A&M
Predicted result: Win
McElroy: “This is a sneaky one. With what Texas A&M can do and the stress they put on your secondary, be very careful. Jake Spavital and Kevin Sumlin know the formula of beating the Tide before. But I don’t think they can slow down Alabama’s rushing attack.”
OCT. 24 — TENNESSEE AT ALABAMA
Predicted result: Win
Spears: “As high as I am on Tennessee … I think Bama wins this game on defense.”
NOV. 7 — LSU AT ALABAMA
Predicted result: Win
Spears: “This is always a close game, but I think Bama has to get this win to stay in contention for the playoff.”
NOV. 14 — ALABAMA AT MISSISSIPPI STATE
Predicted result: Win
McElroy: “Another tough game against Mississippi State and Dak Prescott. Bama’s just more talented.”
NOV. 28 — ALABAMA AT AUBURN
Predicted result: Loss
Spears: “I’m giving it to Auburn. I think the stability that Jeremy Johnson has given Auburn in this offense and Will Muschamp coming over with what he does against Alabama’s offense, they’ll be fine.”
McElroy: “I’m taking Alabama. It’s because I think defense vs. offense. And I like defense. Always. I’m always going to lean towards that. Even though it’s on the road at Auburn. I think this game decides the West as always.”
SEC Network host Dari Nowkhah, serving as the tiebreaker with a mythical spot in the conference championship on the line, did not hesitate in picking Auburn in the Iron Bowl. Just like that, the SEC Network crew awarded two road losses to Bama.
