David Pollack was a two time All-American linebacker at the University of Georgia and was a first-round draft pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2005. He currently works as an analyst for ESPN’s College Gameday.

Crimson White: What were your initial thoughts on the A-Day scrimmage, good and bad?

David Pollack: Seeing AJ McCarron throw an interception on the first play of the game made me wonder how he is adjusting to the new offensive coordinator. For the most part of last season, McCarron was there not to mess it up. This year, his confidence will be high, and he’ll have to keep his mistakes to a minimum. His development and how he takes care of the football will be key. Obviously, the defense won’t be as good as last season, but they’ll still be great with Nick Saban and Kirby Smart pulling the strings.

CW: Eddie Lacy missed the entire spring with an injury. Freshman T.J. Yeldon had a breakout game. Could he push Jalston Fowler for that second running back spot?

DP: That’s interesting, because with Saban, it’s about trust. I know you see something like that and go “wow,” but you have to be realistic. How much work he puts in and his maturity level will go a long way in how much playing time he gets.

CW: Secondary and linebackers are the two units that lost the most with players leaving early and graduating. What do you expect from this defense, and can they come close to what the 2011 team did?

DP: I don’t think they’ll be as dominant, especially stopping the run. Nobody could move the ball an inch on the ground. They will be a set back. They had one of the best performances you’ll ever see in a championship. Remember, after they won the championship in 2009, the defense still finished in the top five in 2010. I expect this one to be a top-10 defense because of great coaching.

CW: Where does Alabama fit in the national championship race for next year?

DP: USC and LSU are going to be the early favorites. There’s a good chance next season that we’ll see a one-loss team in the championship game again. USC has a cakewalk of a schedule, but they will also have some challenges with scholarship limitations, and they lost players on both offensive and defensive line. LSU is in the same situation as last year. Great defense, but they still need to find a quarterback. Zac Mettenberger could be a huge upgrade from Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee. As far as the two most talented teams go, it’ll be the same as last year: LSU and Alabama. Both teams could slip up early, and they won’t be head and shoulders above every one like last season. Nothing is a sure thing.