First in a series previewing SEC football teams.
HOOVER, Ala. — Alabama Coach Nick Saban did his best to separate the prospects for the 2010 Crimson Tide from the accomplishments of the 2009 BCS and SEC champions.
“Are we in 2010? Because everything I hear is about 2009,” Saban said. “We’re not really defending a championship. The championship part is history. We’re not defending anything.”
Defending its 2009 BCS and SEC championships would be a chore for Alabama based simply on the defensive personnel the Crimson Tide lost. Alabama must replace eight starters on what had been a dominant defense, but the Tide will bring back a veteran offense, led by Heisman Trophy winning tailback Mark Ingram, senior quarterback Greg McElroy, receivers Julio Jones and Marquis Maze, and starting linemen James Carpenter, Barrett Jones and William Vlachos
“We’re proud of what we accomplished last year,” McElroy said. “It was a great run, great memories that we’ll have for the rest of our lives.
“If you look at us, none of us are wearing our rings. We understand whatever happened last year isn’t going to give us an advantage this year.”
As much as Saban and his players would like to set up 2010 as a fresh season, the fact is Alabama’s accomplishments won’t be forgotten by their fans or opponents. The Crimson Tide is also likely to be the preseason No. 1 team in most polls.
“Every team is going to try to knock us off,” said Ingram, who rushed for 118 yards per game last season and became the first Alabama player to win the Heisman Trophy. “I’m sure we’re circled on everybody’s schedule this year.”
Linebacker Dont’a Hightower, who is returning from a knee injury suffered against Arkansas last season, has heard plenty about how he and safety Mark Barron are the only returning starters on defense.
“I think for the most part that only motivates us more, some people saying we won’t be as good on defense,” he said. “I know that motivates me.
“I think for the most partwe have young guys who are a lot faster and have a lot more athleticism this year. We don’t have as much size, but I think we’ll do great.” The Crimson Tide is carrying on its recent tradition of scheduling one premier nonconference game, and the marquee game this year comes Sept. 11, when Penn State comes calling at Bryant-Denny Stadium for the first time since 1986.
Alabama also faces a tough conference opener two weeks later when it travels to Arkansas.
“I think that every team in the West is going to be better than they were a year ago in our estimation,” Saban said. “Arkansas has a really good quarterback, all their offensive players return, probably going to improve on defense.”
McElroy said he didn’t think there would be added pressure on the Alabama offense while its defense forms an identity.
“Our game is sort of ‘pick your poison,’ ” he said. “If the running game is going well, like it was in the South Carolina game, then we’ll keep running the ball. If it’s like the Arkansas game and we’re passing well, then we’ll keep doing that.”
NEXT Arkansas
Sports, Pages 19 on 07/22/2010