By: Kenneth Harrison

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

Alabama has been the gold standard in college football for almost a century. The Crimson Tide won their first national championship in 1925 and they have more than any other program (17). They also have the best coach in the sport, Nick Saban.

Since showing up in Tuscaloosa, back in 2007 he transformed them into the best program of the past decade. They are the bullies of the SEC and outside of their own fan base most fans have grown tired of them.

They had another undefeated season and made it to the national championship game again. They play Clemson almost every year in the CFP but this time the result was shocking. They were blown out 44-16. This was the worst loss of Saban’s career since he’s been at Alabama.

Bama is led by Heisman finalist Tua Tagovailoa. He started the season off great but he started getting injured late. His play slipped, possibly because of this or maybe defenses started to adjust to him. He passed for 3,966 yards, 43 touchdowns and 6 interceptions.

They normally are loaded at running back but they have a big hole to fill this season. They lost senior Damien Harris and junior Josh Jacobs. Jacobs was drafted in the first round, the 24^th overall pick.

The Tide reload every season and they have the top ranked running back in last year’s recruiting class, Trey Sanders. The five-star back suffered a serious foot injury last week and he’s out indefinitely.

The schedule works in their favor. The season starts on the last day of August, a neutral site game against Duke. The game is in Atlanta and this will be an easy blow out win.

This is the first home game against New Mexico State. The Aggies are completely overmatched. The Crimson Tide should score no less than 50 points in this win.

Alabama travels to Columbia, South Carolina. The Gamecocks are an average team so this will be another easy game.

They return home to face Southern Miss. Bama should score 40-plus points and the starters should be able to sit on the bench in the second half.

Ole Miss comes to Tuscaloosa. The Rebels are on probation for three years. They recruited well under Hugh Freeze but that has come to an end.

The talented players from those teams transferred last year. They are a shell of themselves and don’t stand a chance.

Alabama is taking a trip to College Station. Texas A&M has not beaten the Tide since they first joined the SEC in 2012. This is a very one-sided series and that won’t change. This is a very tough environment to play in though.

Tennessee has the worst luck in the SEC. They are the team in the East that has to play Alabama every year. They’ll get demolished yet again.

Arkansas is a bottom dweller in the West. Bama will beat them by at least three touchdowns.

This is the toughest game of the year, home against LSU. Last season The Tigers lost 29-0. I think they put up a better fight but still lose by double digits.

Mississippi State has developed into a solid program over the last decade. They do not have the talent to beat the Tide though.

This is the tune up before the season finale versus FCS Western Carolina. This is another blowout victory.

The season ends at Auburn. The Tigers have so many question marks that I don’t see them being able to compete.

I expect them to finish the regular season undefeated and get back to the CFP.