What will it take to beat Alabama?

I think Alabama absolutely can be beaten. I just have my doubts that anybody on the schedule as it stands today can do it. Here is what it would take in my opinion.

1. An experienced QB who can play consistently (not great, just limiting mistakes) and is good at reading defenses with enough experience and the authority to make at least some checks at the LOS.

2. A mentality to not give up if they go down 7-10 points early and then answer with points to keep #3 in play.

3. A rushing attack that will produce enough of a threat to keep Bama out of it's nickel/dime packages on 2nd and 3rd down.

4. A great punt team to keep the field position fairly even.

** Bama has struggled on kick return coverage this year so a team with a really good return game could be an X factor that would tip a game in an opponents favor if they kept it close in the other phases. On the other hand, you don't want too many opportunities to return kick-offs.

Looking at the remaining regular season schedule - I just don't see a team that fits that mold. LSU has all but #1 but I think it's probably just as important as #3. I think QB play by LSU, not just passing, but decision-making will be the key factor Saturday night. If Bama runs out into Tiger Stadium or in the aTm game and has a bunch of penalties or a couple of painful turnovers then obviously that would give a team the opportunity to push Bama to the 4th quarter with the game in doubt, into uncharted waters. So far they haven't had those types of problems and have been cruising through the 4th quarter.

Looking further than the regular season, I think Georgia is probably the most capable of the SEC east teams (I would have said SCAR until #21 went down). Kansas State would probably be the best match-up of the current BCS contenders for a title game.