Coach: Nick Saban, third season (125-67-1 overall, 19-8 at Alabama).
Last year's record: 12-2 overall, 8-0 in the SEC (1st in the West). Lost to Utah 31-17 in the Sugar Bowl.
Starters returning: Fifteen (4 offense, 9 defense, 2 specialists).
Toughest non-conference game: vs. Virginia Tech in Atlanta, Sept. 5.
Toughest conference game: at Ole Miss, Oct. 10.
Contender or pretender: A lot depends on new starting quarterback Greg McElroy. He earned the starting role with a strong spring, but he has very little game experience and the Tide will be tested in its first game against a strong Virginia Tech defense. He has some weapons around him, the most notable being super sophomore wide receiver Julio Jones and the tailback trio of Mark Ingram, Roy Upchurch and Terry Grant. The defense should be one of the strongest in the nation, led by nose tackle Terrence Cody, middle linebacker Rolando McClain and cornerback Javier Arenas. Opponents won't score many points, so if McElroy and the offense can consistently produce, this will be a tough team to handle.
Bowl possibilities: Rose, Sugar, Capital One.
Saban says: "We're going to have a new quarterback. Greg McElroy has done a nice job of developing. He's a good leader. He's instinctive. Players like him. He makes good decisions. He's been in our offense for two seasons, but he does lack experience. He's only going to get that experience by playing and making plays. With that, he's going to develop a lot of respect from his teammates."
