Alabama Crimson Tide Football 2011 Preview, Predictions, Picks, Odds
As the 2011 NCAA Football Season approaches, we are providing season previews for every college football teams to give you the betting edge. Follow the best College Football Handicappers as they analyze their teams in this 2011 season preview. Be sure to bookmark SportsbookBuzz.com your source for Sportsbook Reviews. Use our comprehensive and insider info to bet successfully on the College Football in our recommend sportsbooks.View the rest of our 2011 NCAA Football Season Previews here.
2010 Record: 10-3 SEC Record: 5-3 (4th, West) 2011 Returning Starters: 18; 7 offense, 9 defense, kicker, punter
Coach: Nick Saban, 43–11 (4 years)
Offensive Coordinators: Jim McElwain Defensive Coordinators: Kirby Smart
2011 Alabama Players to Watch: RB Trent Richardson, WR Marquis Maze, C William Vlachos, OG Barrett Jones, DE Damion Square, La Dont’a Hightower, LB Courtney Upshaw, S Mark Barron, S Robert lester
2011 Alabama Strengths:
Alabama is in great shape defensively with a strong set of linebackers and plenty of experience in the line and secondary, especially if Barron is healthy. Offensively, Alabama has a good line, plus outstanding backs and receivers. The special teams should be special.
2011 Alabama Weaknesses:
Left tackle is a concern … and who will fill the shoes of departed Quarterback Greg McElroy and wide receiver Julio Jones? AJ McCarron and Phillip Sims will battle for the QB job. With the talent surrounding him, whoever is named the starter should have plenty of help.
2011 Alabama Offense:
The quarterback battle between AJ McCarron and Phillip Sims is expected to continue into fall camp and could include shared time in the opener against Kent State. McCarron has the edge in experience, having served as Greg McElroy’s backup the past two seasons. Sims redshirted last season but took equal snaps in the spring with the first-team offense. Whoever wins the job will be helped by junior running back Trent Richardson, who is Alabama’s No. 1 threat on offense. Richardson played in the first nine games last fall before a knee injury suffered against LSU forced him to miss wins against Mississippi State and Georgia State. He returned for the final two games and finished with 112 carries for 700 yards and six touchdowns. Eddie Lacy, a sophomore, is the leading candidate to trade carries with Richardson. But senior Demetrius Goode will also contend for playing time. True freshman Dee Hart was expected to contend for snaps, but will miss 2011 after tearing an ACL. Seniors Marquis Maze and Darius Hanks are the leading contenders to step up at wide receiver. Maze is Alabama’s top returning receiver with 38 catches for 557 yards and three touchdowns. Duron Carter, a junior college transfer from Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College and former Ohio State Buckeye, could also have an immediate impact. Alabama’s offensive line returns four of five starters, including three-year starters William Vlachos and Barrett Jones. Alabama’s lone vacancy was at left tackle, where two-year starter James Carpenter needs to be replaced. Senior Alfred McCullough is a top candidate to fill the spot, though Jones also got a look at left tackle in the spring.
2011 Alabama Defense:
The defensive line is arguably the biggest question mark entering the season. The base 3-4 defense is expected to feature senior Josh Chapman at nose guard to start. The rest of the line is up in the air. A potential career-ending injury to Kerry Murphy, who started four games at end, won’t help matters. A deep linebacking corps will be led by Courtney Upshaw and Dont’a Hightower. Upshaw finished the ’10 season playing the best football of his career, with five sacks in his final two games. Hightower shed the brace that protected his surgically repaired knee in time for Alabama’s 49–7 win against Michigan State in the Capital One Bowl. Senior Mark Barron is the leader of what should be one of the top secondaries in the nation. Barron spent the spring in a black non-contact jersey while recovering from a torn pectoral muscle. He is joined in the secondary by three other returning starters, free safety Robert Lester and cornerbacks Dre Kirkpatrick and Dee Milliner.
2011 Alabama Special Teams:
Placekicker Jeremy Shelley led the Crimson Tide in scoring last season with 86 points. He was 12 of 16 on field goals attempt. Cade Foster handled kickoffs and longer field goal attempts. He was 7 of 9 on field goal tries. Cody Mandell returns as the punter after averaging 39.2 yards per kick.
| 2011 Alabama Football Schedule | Alabama Football Sportsbooks |
2011 Alabama Predictions:
Alabama is locked and loaded for another run at a national title. There are issues that need to be addressed at quarterback, wide receiver and the defensive line but talent is never at a shortage in Tuscaloosa. The schedule sets up nicely as well. Bama has to go to Florida but doesn’t play South Carolina or Georgia and hosts LSU and Arkansas, its two biggest challengers in the West.
2011 Alabama Betting Odds:
Alabama Current odds to win a National Championship: +400
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NCAA Football Handicapping Picks
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