While the Alabama Crimson Tide<\/strong>\u00a0were not able to break through and win a national title this past season, the team was once again right in the thick of the title hunt, winning the SEC and qualifying for the inaugural College Football Playoff, where they lost to the eventual national champions, Ohio State.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Southeastern Conference 2015 College Football Preview – Alabama Crimson Tide<\/a><\/strong> However, Nick Saban has really raised the standards in Tuscaloosa, so no one will be celebrating an SEC title. Getting into the four-team playoff was nice, but not winning it will be what Tide fans will remember.<\/p>\n [dfads params=’groups=63738&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n Alabama gave Ohio State a run for its money in a 42-35 shootout in what was the real national championship game after the Buckeyes rolled over Oregon. Even still, most Tide fans will tell you that was a happier ending to the season than 2013\u2019s devastating loss in the Iron Bowl when Auburn\u2019s Chris Davis returned a missed field goal the length of the field to knock off Alabama and crush the Tide\u2019s title hopes.<\/p>\n Because it\u2019s Alabama, the strengths are plentiful. Junior running back Derrick Henry has a chance to be one of the top tailbacks in the country. With T.J. Yeldon gone, Henry will have the chance to replicate the success of predecessors Trent Richardson and Mark Ingram.<\/p>\n [dfads params=’groups=66501&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n Junior defensive tackle A\u2019Shawn Robinson will be the anchor for what will be one of the best defenses in the nation, playing alongside returning standouts like linebacker Reggie Ragland and cornerback Cyrus Jones.<\/p>\n The quarterback situation is a big question mark entering the season. Blake Sims stepped into that role a year ago, and his strong play put Alabama over the hump on more than one occasion. However, now, someone will need to step in and replicate that success without Heisman finalist Amari Cooper in the fold.<\/p>\n Jake Coker seems to be the leading candidate, and David Cornwell will push him. Quarterback play was key in last year\u2019s College Football Playoff, with eventual No. 1 pick Jameis Winston leading Florida State, No. 2 pick Marcus Mariota leading Oregon, and Cardale Jones playing better than all of them for Ohio State.<\/p>\n Also, the secondary looks less talented than what we\u2019ve come to expect from the Tide for the second year in a row. The team\u2019s pass defense allowed 221 yards or more in each of its last five games, including 10 touchdowns. There\u2019s some tightening up that needs to be done back there.<\/p>\n The season-opening date with Wisconsin in Arlington, Texas should provide some fireworks. It\u2019s Paul Chryst\u2019s first scheduled game as head coach of the Badgers since taking leaving Pitt to take that gig. Outside of that, the non-conference schedule is a cakewalk.<\/p>\n [dfads params=’groups=63739&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n The Tide\u2019s SEC opener comes against Ole Miss, and its sandwiched between a pair of easy non-conference games. That\u2019s going to allow the Alabama coaching staff some time to put together a game plan with their sights set on building a margin against the only team to hand Alabama a loss during the regular season in 2014.<\/p>\n The road dates inside the conference don\u2019t look overly difficult – that is, until the regular-season finale at Auburn. Outside of that, the toughest will be a trip to Georgia on Oct. 3, but Mark Richt just hasn\u2019t figured out how to get over the hump against Alabama. Not having to make the trip to Death Valley is great news.<\/p>\n 9\/5 Wisconsin*<\/strong> Check out our Updated College Football Odds<\/a>.<\/b>\n
NCAA Football Gambling Lines<\/h3>\n
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SEC\u00a0Lines<\/h3>\n
\n Head Coach: Nick Saban<\/strong>
\n 2014 Record: 11-1<\/strong>
\n Alabama Odds to win the SEC: 9-5<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\nTeam Strengths<\/h3>\n
Team Weaknesses<\/h3>\n
2015 Alabama Crimson Tide Prediction: 11-1<\/h3>\n
Alabama Crimson Tide 2015 Football Schedule<\/h3>\n
\n 9\/12 Middle Tennessee<\/strong>
\n 9\/19 Ole Miss<\/strong>
\n 9\/26 Louisiana-Monroe<\/strong>
\n 10\/3 at Georgia<\/strong>
\n 10\/10 Arkansas<\/strong>
\n 10\/17 at Texas A&M<\/strong>
\n 10\/24 Tennessee<\/strong>
\n 11\/7 LSU<\/strong>
\n 11\/14 at Mississippi State<\/strong>
\n 11\/21 Charleston Southern<\/strong>
\n 11\/28 at Auburn<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
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