Fansided

5 reasons Alabama will repeat as national champions

By Brendan Dlubala

Oct 15, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide players celebrate their 49-10 victory with a traditional victory cigar after defeating the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide players celebrate their 49-10 victory with a traditional victory cigar after defeating the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Sep 3, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; The SEC logo on the field prior to a game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the UCLA Bruins at Kyle Field. Texas A&M won in overtime 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; The SEC logo on the field prior to a game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the UCLA Bruins at Kyle Field. Texas A&M won in overtime 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports /

2. The SEC is relatively weak

The SEC remains Alabama’s until further notice. Alabama (7-0) and Texas A&M (6-0) remain the only teams undefeated in the SEC. Auburn (4-2) and LSU (4-2) are the other two main obstacles on Alabama’s schedule besides the Aggies, but both of those teams are experiencing their own issues.

LSU finally cut ties with Les Miles after a rough start to their season. They do have star RB Leonard Fournette, but he’s been sidelined quite a bit to nagging injuries. LSU also has Florida (twice), Ole Miss, Alabama, Arkansas, and Texas A&M remaining on their schedule. For a team that is partially without their star RB and going through a transition period with coaches, that is an extremely tough schedule.

More on FanSided:

Auburn also doesn’t look to be a huge threat to Alabama this year. They’ve already dropped two games and have a pretty tough schedule ahead. Arkansas, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, Georgia, Alabama A&M, and Alabama are their remaining opponents. If they happen to lose even one more during that stretch, then they will definitely be out of the SEC championship race.

Texas A&M has an easier road ahead but this Saturday’s game will determine a lot. They face off against Alabama in Tuscaloosa, which is almost enough of a reason on its own for the Aggies to lose. The Aggies are averaging over 274 yards a game on the ground with running back Trayveon Williams averaging just over 117 yards a game. Quarterback Trevor Knight adds about 84. A&M is built around the run game and Saban’s defense is ideally suited to stop them.

With three of Alabama’s 5 remaining opponents being in the SEC-West, Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide have a relatively easy road ahead.

Home/College Football