It seems to have come down to this each and every year. Will the Crimson Tide win the National Championship or will the field win it? Disparity in sports is a good thing to have, but when one gets a chance to watch greatness unfold, most fans are awestruck. Here are the top ten reasons why Alabama WILL NOT win the National Championship.
10. Virginia Tech
Not many are picking the Hokies to beat Alabama in the first week of the season, but if by some chance the Crimson Tide fail to win, a 0-1 record can destroy National Championship aspirations before they start. Logan Thomas will have to have one of his best games as a Hokie, so it is not impossible.
9. Mississippi State
The Bulldogs will be at the tail end of the toughest part of their schedule, facing South Carolina and Texas A&M in the two weeks prior, both on the road. One would think they would both be tough games for the Bulldogs. The issue for Alabama is the fact that Mississippi State is coming home for their matchup versus the Crimson Tide, and Starkville is a tough place to play on the road. The Bulldogs could come out firing and be one of the upsets of the year.
8. Defense
It may sound absurd, since Alabama’s defense has been stout for the past couple years, and promises to be once again this year. The issue with the Tide’s defense is the fact that there are few seniors. With the loss of a few starters from last year’s defense, Alabama may have to go through some growing pains in the first few games of the season. The problem with that is the second game of the year is against Texas A&M, the only team to beat Alabama last season.
7. Ole Miss
Although Ole Miss is traveling to Tuscaloosa, the Rebels are poised to be one of the SEC favorites over the next few seasons. With their recent recruiting class and a ton of returning players, Ole Miss could pull out an upset over the Crimson Tide on September 28th. In order for the Rebels to win, quarterback Bo Wallace will need to be on his game, and it is not out of the question for him to do so.
6. LSU
Every year LSU and Alabama are in a dogfight. Last year, Alabama won a thriller 21-17, and the year before LSU won 9-6 on what was one of the better defensive games in a long time. Expect a close game yet again, as both teams will have that extra edge in a rivalry game. The Crimson Tide is the better team, but as college football has proven over the last few seasons, there is no "better team" in rivalry games.
5. Pac 12 Champion
There is a chance that an undefeated or one-loss team will come out of the Pac 12 this season with Oregon and Stanford being so promising and USC always being in the thick of things. Should an undefeated champion from the Pac 12 arise, Alabama will have to have a perfect season to be ranked in the top two.
4. SEC Championship Loss
Assuming the Tide does as they are projected to do and win most of their games, they will face off in the SEC Championship. But, if they should lose that game, chances are they will fall a few slots in the BCS rankings. For example, if Ohio State is ranked third and Alabama is ranked second, but Alabama loses in the SEC Championship and OSU wins, the Buckeyes would most likely surpass the Crimson Tide. Anything short of the BCS title game would be a disappointment.
3. Alabama
Sometimes with teams this talented, they can beat themselves, or become over-confident and end up beating themselves, just ask how Michigan how they lost to Appalachian State a few years back. Chances are Nick Saban will not let the talent of this bunch get to anyone’s head, but if for just 60 minutes they do become over-confident and it causes a loss, the Crimson Tide’s BCS title aspirations will plummet.
2. Injuries
Fortunately for Alabama they have the deepest roster in college football. But a few unfortunate injuries could change this season’s landscape for the Crimson Tide. The main reason Alabama has been so good for the last few years is the fact that they have escaped major injuries for the most part.
1. Johnny Manziel and the Aggies
The number one reason, and most likely reason that the Alabama Crimson Tide will not win the BCS this season is the reason they were not undefeated last season. The Aggies of Texas A&M beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa last season, and TAMU will boast one of the best offenses in the NCAA this season. Johnny Manziel is poised to make another run at the Heisman and will have a plethora of weapons around him. The Aggies are the most equipped team to beat Alabama, and the Aggies should win on September 14th in College Station. Expect the Aggies to use Ben Malena and the two Williams’ (Trey and Brandon) and Manziel and exploit the Alabama defense with read options early. Then once the Crimson Tide tries to stop the run, Manziel will look to find 6’5 wide receiver Mike Evans, who may be a first round pick in the future. Needless to say, September 14th is circled on every college football fan’s calendar.