re: Bama fans, how will your defense look next year?

More coming back this year than in 2010 and 2010 was a top 10 defense.

Overall the defense will still be one of the best in the country statistically. Success will be determine on whether they have the key lapses in key situations like they did a few times in 2010.

DL - Chapman is a big loss but the DEs are coming back and there are some good NT candidates to replace Chapman.

LB - Lose Hightower, Upshaw, and Harris, but Nico Johnson and CJ Mosley have tons of experience and will provide leadership and Alabama is really deep at LB. Still, Hightower and Upshaw are all-American talents so the LB play will drop off.

DBs - Lose Kirkpatrick, Menzie, and Barron. Lester and Milliner have tons of experience and will be the leaders. This will be the biggest question mark on the D, but it won't be as green as 2010. Look for Juco help to step in right away.

I really wouldn't be surprised if this is not the top defense in the SEC, or at least right up there with LSU, and possibly Georgia.

It won't be historically good like 2011, but it will be very strong still.