We've got hopefully 4 games left, but 2016 starting QB predictions?

Barnett. I would guess Cornwell transfers.

I'm really really excited to watch Barnett play. If he is anywhere near as good as advertised then that is a scary though for opposing teams matched with our defense and of course our always awesome running game.

Barnett hopefully. Although the defense will take a step back next year, assuming Bama wins the SEC Championship this year, they will have won it again without a dominating QB at the helm. Minus McCarron and home Blake Sims, Alabama will have made it to the SEC Title with JPW, McElroy, road Blake Sims, and a more than usual turnover prone QB in Coker. Why not give Barnett a shot? Other than Ole Miss, Alabama more times than not in recent memory that the defense can step up to the task and overcome the offenses mistakes. Let Barnett start as a freshman and develop. He'll have a good supporting cast next year with a good WR core, a talented back field (although inexperienced), and a good offensive line.

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Is Barnett healthy? Wasn't there mention recently of him being hospitalized?

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Yes, but it wasn't for an injury or anything like that. He just got sick.

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If he gets no playing time this season? Will he have a reasonable chance of starting next season??

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Yes.

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I imagine they don't want to burn his red shirt, but I would like to see him get some snaps...

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Too late in the season to waste a redshirt.

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Although the defense will take a step back next year

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I don't think this is a given at all. If the defensive staff stays mostly intact, I think they'll have a chance overall to be as good or better than this year.

There will be losses along the DLine, but there are a ton of young guys coming back.

At linebacker Ragland is clearly a big loss, but Foster will be back along with guys like Tim Williams, Ryan Anderson, and Hamilton.

The secondary will be very good. If Eddie Jackson comes back, it will be exceptional.

The key is keeping most of the coaching staff intact - especially Bo Davis and Mel Tucker. I'd rather lose Kirby to a head coaching job than either of those two.

Edited to add: To answer the OP's question, I'll be very surprised if it isn't Blake Barnett.

Someone else mentioned this during the preseason QB battle, but why does a QB have to have a lot of "beef" on him? I get that he needs to be able to take some sacks and get off the ground afterwards, but he isn't that small.

Besides, he will obviously get a ton of weight training between now and next season.

Idk what to think about next season, not yet anyway. We open with USC, Tennessee has talent, and the West is the best division in the country.

That said we'll have a new QB and new RBs, but Bo was the #2 RB (though listed as Athlete) coming out and Harris was the #1. Then we've got Ridley (60 catches so far this year), Stewart (42 catches so far this year), and Foster (talented #1 target before getting hurt) coming back for the new QB to throw to. 3/5 return on the OL, and one would think C-Rob will be back to form while Piersbacher and Taylor could be one of the better OG duos in the country.

On D we lose depth, but the starting front 7 should be Tomlinson/Payne/Hand on the DL, Foster/Hamilton at ILB, and 2 of Anderson/Williams/Evans at OLB. All are experienced. Now we won't be as deep so that'll be a problem.

If Jackson comes back the secondary will be lights out with him, Hump, Harrison, and Fitz back. Plus TB has looked good the past couple of games (though one was an FCS opponent) filling in for Fitz at Star.

JK Scott will be back.

Griffith will either be improved or we'll let Pineiro (sp?) from JUCO kick.

We have athletes to return kicks.

I can't predict 3 losses with all of that. Of course it could happen though when you're playing in the SEC + USC OOC

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I can't predict 3 losses with all of that. Of course it could happen though when you're playing in the SEC + USC OOC

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I feel pretty much the same way.

And as far as turnover with the coaching staff, that hasn't really ever affected a Saban team that I can remember.

Defensive Coach that has to be retained, is Bo Davis. Maybe it's just the amount of talent, but the D-Line ability has shown incredible improvement once he came back (and it was decent before he left for Texas years ago).

Tucker staying would be nice as well, but I feel that a pressure D-Line helps the secondary tremendously.

It seems like every year we are either rebuilding the offense or defense. This year it was offense, next year it will be defense. Most of our great years are the years where we are rebuilding the offense and not the defense. 2012 was the exception.

That said, I'm pulling for BB6 to win it. It would be awesome to have a true duel threat QB like a Mariotta. But I do think Bateman and Morris, who both know the offense much better, will give him a run for his money. If Corn doesn't leave, he will be in the mix too. I'm excited about the kid we are bringing in as well, but he will need a RS year.