re: Alabama only returns 4 starters on offense next year.

It's practically a given that the entire SEC other than Alabama will be improved offensively from the all-time low it was collectively at last year.

The Tide could not have picked a worse year to have so many questions on offense. It's apparent to me the Tide will struggle early against a schedule that presents several challenges right off the bat for a young offense.

Alabama will put it together late, but the damage will already have been done by the time LSU comes to Tuscaloosa.

I look for Kentucky to upset the Tide in Lexington. Any close Tide victory from last year is a candidate for a defeat this year.

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It's practically a given that the entire SEC other than Alabama will be improved offensively from the all-time low it was collectively at last year.

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Yep. Georgia will definately be better without Stafford and Moreno.

does'nt lsu have to replace some o-lineman as well? and their starter goin into the season really only has 1 start under his belt....

our starter has 2 starts plus a half against ole miss

we have to replace big herm and our center helms but we have plenty coming back

naw he isn't a proven starter yet but he looked good in the action that he saw.

We have a lot of young talent at o-line. I could be wrong, but I really think that out of all those guys someone will step up and play well.

McElroy will be a beast if he gets decent protection.

the only time i saw mcelroy was against arky

also when saban has his d that he wants its tough for any qb to be a beast bc of his safe o.

McElroy played 5A ball in TX and led his team to state ch. senior year. 4000+ passing yards and 50+ TDs in that ONE YEAR.
I know it's high school ball, but come on. 4000+ passing in one year in hs? Really? That's gotta say something about his ability.

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I think they will be hard pressed to have even the best defense in the west. I'd put them at 3rd in the conference.

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How did you come to that conclusion? On paper, Alabama will have one of the best in college football. We return nine starters, and 20 of 22 in the two deep. Florida is the only other program that will have anything on Alabama's defense. Now, the offense could put the defense in a bind at times in 2009, but taking the returning talent, and what they accomplished in 2008, you have to consider them rival to Florida's great D, and one of the best in college football.

What ever the offense does or does not do in 2009, they'll be far better than the 2005 offense, in a season that saw Alabama still win ten games, despite an abysmal offense.

Now as far as not having the best defense in the West? Have you not looked at what Ole Miss and LSU return (who I conclude you compared Alabama to)? Ole Miss was never a good defense in 2008, and lose some key guys there. Their secondary stuggles at times. LSU has loads of talent to turn to, but losing those defensive line starters will hurt. No to mention a new defensive coordinator. Chavis will build great defenses in Baton Rouge, but there's always a transition with a new coordinator, and several new defensive assistants.

that he was a good high school qb. we dont have much exp at qb but its still more than him. We have seen JJ in live action that mattered at the time and he looked poised and made correct reads. Mcelroy may very well be a beast but we dont know that yet.