Higher expectations can mean potential for bigger disappointment.

The Alabama Football Machine is far from a victim of its own success. But success becomes relative when you win as many championships as Nick Saban has (7 and counting, including 6 at Alabama).

Mix in the euphoria of winning another one in 2020, and anything less than a repeat will feel like a letdown.

Yet most of us would take it. And Bama fans shouldn’t take it for granted.

With that in mind, any concerns about a team that ran roughshod through the SEC during a pandemic should be viewed through that lens. What would keep this team from adding another title? Here are 5 potential roadblocks.

1. Can Bryce Young be the next great Alabama quarterback?

The talent is there, of course. It’s Alabama. But Mac Jones left some giant shoes to fill. Young is a different type of quarterback. The offense wasn’t as productive last year in the few instances in which Young played. In fairness, it was a very small sample size and the scoreboard dictated some of the play-calls. Young completed 13-of-22 throws for 156 yards. That computes to 7.1 yards per attempt. Jones led the SEC at 11.2 yards per attempt last season. Tua Tagovailoa was at 11.3 in 2019 and 11.2 in 2018. Jalen Hurts finished at 8.2 in 2017 and 7.3 in 2016. So there’s certainly room to grow for Young.

Can new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien take full advantage, gain Young’s trust and put him in positions to be successful?

2. Speaking of O’Brien …

The former Penn State and Houston Texans head coach’s résumé speaks for itself. But there’s always an adjustment period when a new guy with new schemes and new philosophies takes over. Reviews out of spring ball and early in fall camp have been positive. But that’s always the case. Toss in having to replace a Heisman Trophy winner, another Heisman finalist, a Doak Walker Award recipient and 3 of 5 starters on a Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line, and O’Brien suddenly has a nice big microscope on him if the Crimson Tide struggle to move the ball. Relatively speaking, of course …

3. Top schedule pitfalls

Alabama avoids Georgia this season — at least till the SEC Championship Game (we expect). But the Tide open with Miami and then travel to Florida in Week 3. Young will be tested immediately and still won’t have a lot of game reps before making his first SEC road start. Ole Miss should be better, and the Rebels gave Saban fits last year. Texas A&M and LSU should be, too. But let’s take the best-case scenario; the Tide have certainly earned the benefit of the doubt. Come Playoff time, Oklahoma is a very formidable foe. Clemson could be once again, too.

4. The field position battle

Can Alabama win one of these? Its offense was so prolific, it didn’t really have to last season. You have to comb through a lot of national rankings to find a place the Tide have “struggled,” but punting and field position are down there. How are they planning to tackle a contest that’s tight throughout and where field position makes an outcoming-changing difference?

5. Newcomers on defense

“Embarrassment of riches” doesn’t even begin to describe the Alabama football program. Nine starters returning from a national champion defense? Sheesh. But in this era of football, one defensive gaffe can change a game and a season. Defensive coordinator Pete Golding likes his newcomers, starting with Tennessee transfer Henry To’o To’o and freshman corner Kool-Aid McKinstry. But how’s the depth? And can relatively unproven players be counted on in big moments? We’ll find out, starting Sept. 4 when the Tide face Miami in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic in Atlanta.