This is the magical time of the year where sportswriters make predictions only to watch them go up in flames a few weeks later, and the staff at The Crimson White is no exception.
Kayla Montgomery | Sports Editor
Alabama’s record: 11-3
Random prediction: At least three games into the season, coach Nick Saban and his team still won’t have a clear starter. Alec Morris will ultimately secure the job.
Upset alert: To know me is to know that hate The University of Georgia, and picking this truly pains me, but after watching Ezekiel Elliott walk through Alabama’s defense in the 2014 national championship, it’s hard to imagine that the Crimson Tide will find a way to stop Georgia’s Nick Chubb.
How the season ends: After falling to Georgia, Alabama’s demanding schedule leaves it tired at the end of the season and it falls to Auburn. The Crimson Tide will still win the West, though, and go on to win the SEC Championship in a rematch against Georgia. The team falls to Ohio State — again — in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
Tyler Waldrep | Assistant Sports Editor
Alabama’s record: 12-2
Random prediction: Running back Kenyan Drake throws a touchdown pass.
Upset alert: Texas A&M- Alabama’s road trip to College Station comes right after the team has two physical games at Georgia and against Arkansas. It will be difficult for Alabama to come into this game healthy after those games, but the bigger challenge might be taking the Aggies seriously after last season’s 59-0 shutout in Tuscaloosa.
How the season ends: Alabama survives the regular season relatively intact dropping only a single game against Texas A&M before winning the SEC West division. Alabama gets a rematch against Georgia in the SEC Championship Game and, although the game is closer this time around, the result is the same. Alabama returns to the College Football Playoff, but the Crimson Tide is unable to get past TCU in the semifinal round.
Terrin Waack | Staff Reporter
Alabama’s record: 12-2
Random prediction: Saban is going to change the starting quarterback halfway through the season. In the end, it’ll be better for the team.
Upset alert: Georiga. Alabama is going to fall in it’s game against Georgia. It’ll be close, but with the at-home advantage, Georgia is going to be relentless and come out on top.
How the season ends: Alabama will win the SEC West title despite dropping a mid-season loss at Georgia. The Crimson Tide will play well in the College Football Playoffs but fall during its semi-final game, preventing it from making it to the 2016 National Championship.
Elliott Propes | Staff Reporter
Alabama’s record: 11-3
Random prediction: Chris Black has two special teams touchdowns.
Upset Alert: Texas A&M- The change at quarterback from Kenny Hill to Kyle Allen has made A&M much more of a threat. The away game will make it hard on Alabama. The team may overlook A&M after last year’s 59-0 victory.
How season ends: Alabama loses back-to-back games against Texas A&M and Tennessee, but recovers to beat Auburn in a tiebreaker to go to the SEC championship. There, Alabama beats Tennessee in a rematch and just squeaks into the playoff. Alabama will then lose pretty handily to either TCU or Ohio State.
Marquis Munson | Staff Reporter
Alabama’s record: 12-2
Random prediction: Calvin Ridley will have a Julio Jones type of freshman year.
Upset Alert: Arkansas: Last season, the Razorbacks were a few successful possessions away from defeating the Crimson Tide. Despite star running back Jonathan Williams’s injury and playing on the road, Brandon Allen has improved since last season and they still have Alex Collins in the back field. Most of Alabama’s upsets happen at Bryant-Denny, so the Crimson Tide needs to keep an eye on the Razorbacks.
How the season ends: Alabama will finish the season losing only to Georgia. Alabama will get their revenge against the Bulldogs in the SEC Championship game and Alabama will move on to the College Football Playoffs only to lose a close game to TCU.
