As great as Alabama is, as dominant as the Tide have been, only once have they run the table under Nick Saban.

In 2009, the Tide went 14-0, winning their first of five national titles on Saban’s watch. Each title since, including 2017, they’ve lost once in the regular season.

What will 2018 hold? Can the Tide go undefeated? That’s something we’ve been discussing ever since Minkah Fitzpatrick and Co., declared for the NFL Draft?

Jon Cooper, director of operations: Alabama’s schedule is very favorable in 2018. The only non-conference matchup even worth mentioning is against Louisville in the opener, with the other three being Arkansas State, Louisiana-Lafayette and The Citadel. Similarly, the SEC East crossovers are also favorable in Missouri and Tennessee. The Iron Bowl is also in Tuscaloosa next season.

The biggest worry would be the back-to-back road games against Tennessee and LSU, but even those are favorable with the bye week falling prior to the LSU matchup. I don’t see Alabama losing next season.

Clint Lamb, Alabama beat reporter: It’s a bold prediction to say a team — even one like Alabama — will go undefeated.

With that said, it’s not absurd to think that the possibility for a second such season under Saban would be outside the realm of possibility in 2018.

If Alabama goes undefeated, it might play out differently than most are used to. The defense is losing its top six players in the secondary, both inside linebackers and one of the most dominant nose tackles in school history.

The offense — which will be led by a group of talented sophomores — will need to lead the way. The good news is this should be the best offense the Tide has fielded under Saban.

The two biggest threats (LSU and Auburn) lost several key members — including the top 2 RBs on the roster. This sets up nicely for Alabama.

Adam Spencer, SEC East reporter: I think the Crimson Tide will indeed go undefeated in 2018. This isn’t necessarily because I think they’ll be as good as they were in 2017, but the schedule sets up nicely for them to run the table.

They’ll start the season against a Lamar Jackson-less Louisville squad, and from there, the toughest road game on the schedule is at LSU after a bye week. Nick Saban isn’t going to lose that game, and the Tide’s other road games are against Arkansas, Ole Miss and Tennessee — not exactly a murderers’ row.

Whoever wins the starting quarterback job, it won’t matter too much, as the Tide would be well-served to give both playing time. They have much different strengths, and could be a rare quarterback tandem that actually succeeds.

A lot of pressure will be on Brian Daboll’s replacement at offensive coordinator, but the Tide have all the pieces necessary to make another run at a national championship in 2018. The toughest game will likely be the SEC Championship Game against (probably) Georgia, where a College Football Playoff berth might be on the line once again.

Chris Wright, executive editor: It’s risky business any time you predict somebody will go undefeated.

But it’s easier to envision the Tide going 15-0 than somebody actually knocking them off next season.

(It’s OK; I promise you I appreciate greatness, and know it when I see it.)

It would have been awesome to watch Saban’s defense match skills and schemes against Lamar Jackson, but he’s off to the NFL, leaving Louisville in restart mode in the season opener. LSU, on paper, is a threat and the 2018 game is in Death Valley, but the Tigers are losing much more talent than they are returning.

The Iron Bowl is in Tuscaloosa and Auburn hasn’t beaten Alabama in back-to-back years since Saban arrived. He avenged three earlier losses the next year by margins of 36, 28 and 11.

Maybe somebody surprises them in the Playoff — Clemson’s defensive front will be more decorated than some NFL units — but I’ll be surprised if any of the known opponents gets within double digits. Whatever growing pains a younger defense might have will be covered up by the most explosive offense of the Saban dynasty.