For once, Alabama Crimson Tide will rely on offense instead of defense
By Jason Marcum
When Alabama takes to the field this season, they’ll do so looking to win a third-straight BC National Championship. But unlike most Nick Saban-coached teams, this Tide team will likely be relying on the strength of it’s offense more than it’s brute defense.
The offense will be led behind the arm of AJ McCarron, the Crimson Tide’s senior quarterback. Last season, McCarron led the nation in passing efficiency (175.3) and threw a school-record 30 touchdown passes. Despite all of his success, like Saban, he leads by example, and McCarron just goes out there and wins ballgames.
This fall he should put up even more impressive numbers, as he’ll be surrounded by a group of gifted skill players who will make him a strong Heisman contender.
Running back T.J. Yeldon returns after rushing for an Alabama freshman-record 1,108 yards. The 6-foot-2 ball of fire is a darkhorse candidate for the Heisman crown as well.
Sophomore wideout Amari Cooper caught a school-record 11 touchdown passes, and will join Kenny Bell and Kevin Norwood as veterans who have established a good rapport with McCarron, and the typically run-heavy Tide offense could shift to more of a pass-oriented attack in 2013.
And we can’t forget the Tide added another dynamic weapon on offense this offseason in the form of a 6-6, 237-pound freshman O.J. Howard, who was ranked by Rivals.com as the nation’s No. 1 tight end.
"“He’s working really hard,” junior Brian Vogler recently said. “He asks me questions if he has any problems or wants to know how to do things. He’s one of those guys that comes into work everyday with a really good work ethic and tries to learn.”"
Returning left tackle Cyrus Kouandjio and right guard Anthony Steen will anchor another strong and fast group that includes sophomore center Ryan Kelly, a member of the All-SEC Freshman Team last year, giving the Tide three All-SEC caliber lineman.