Phil Steele expects Alabama to contend for national championship

Phil Steele expects Alabama to contend for a national title once again this season, despite some roster turnover and missing out on last year’s College Football Playoff.

If Nick Saban proved anything, he can have a team contend virtually every year. Quarterback may be the biggest question mark, but there’s no doubt the Crimson Tide can make due.

That’s exactly what Steele’s reasoning is for a bounce back year for Alabama.

“Bama reloads every year,” Steele wrote. “In ‘21 I said they would run their favored streak to 92 after the regular season and they did but were a dog to Georgia in the SEC title game and won, but came up short in the National title game, down their top two WRs and CBs. Last year Bama moved up No. 52 on my Experience Chart and were the consensus Preseason No. 1 again with QB (Bryce) Young and LB (Will) Anderson considered the best offensive and defensive players in the country into the year. 

“They struggled on the road, barely getting past Texas, losing at Tennessee and LSU and survived Ole Miss and did not even make the SEC title game. They trailed Kansas State 10-0 in the bowl but won 45-20 and ‘only’ finished 11-2 and No. 5. This year only ten starters are back. They were +110 YPG in SEC play which was No. 2 in the SEC but way behind Georgia (+201).”

But replacing Bryce Young and Will Anderson on both sides of the ball is going to be tough. One was a Heisman trophy winner and the other a Heisman-caliber player at linebacker.

The schedule doesn’t do any favors either. Despite all that, Steele has Alabama in top tier for yet another national title.

“Alabama appears to be down a notch on both offense and defense and has a tough schedule with Texas, Tennessee and LSU at home and Texas A&M on the road,” Steele wrote. “Their road struggles the last two years have been surprising. This looks like a ‘rebuilding’ year for Bama but of course that means they will still be a National Title contender and are at their best when not preseason No. 1.”

Alabama is on the shortlist for national championship contenders this season with SEC foe Georgia and Big Ten favorites Michigan and Ohio State, among other schools in the top tier.

Will Alabama climb to the top of the mountain? The Crimson Tide surely have a good shot.