Week-by-week predictions
Game 1: vs. Duke
Duke probably wouldn’t have had a chance against Alabama last season with Daniel Jones. With a new quarterback taking over the offense, the Crimson Tide should barely break a sweat to open the 2019 season.
Result: Win
Game 2: vs. New Mexico State
Not only is New Mexico State coming off of a 3-8 season, but they lost their defensive leader in Terrill Hanks. This could be a long day for the Aggies in Tuscaloosa.
Result: Win
Game 3: at South Carolina
Expect the South Carolina Gamecocks to again occupy the role of the SEC team that is good, but not among the elite. As such, this should move the Tide to 3-0 to start the season as they begin conference play.
Result: Win
Game 4: vs. Southern Miss
Southern Miss is by no means a cupcake on Alabama’s schedule, but they also aren’t a team that’s prepared to handle the weaponry that the Crimson Tide can throw at them for 60 minutes.
Result: Win
Game 5: vs. Ole Miss
Last season, the Ole Miss Rebels were an explosive offense marred by a bad defense. In 2019, they’ll likely have a less explosive offense and the same caliber defense. Tagovailoa should have a field day.
Result: Win
Game 6: at Texas A&M
Jimbo Fisher had the Texas A&M Aggies finish last season strongly and they should be even stronger in 2019. The question, however, is whether or not that means they can topple Saban’s team, which still seems unlikely, especially in the middle of a brutal schedule.
Result: Win
Game 7: vs. Tennessee
After Jeremy Pruitt went 5-7 in his first season with the Tennessee Volunteers, there are high hopes that he can really start to get this program back to prominence. That can happen and the team can still not be able to compete with Alabama, though, which is likely the case for the 2019 season.
Result: Win
Game 8: vs. Arkansas
The Arkansas Razorbacks should take a step forward in the 2019 season after an abysmal 2018. Even so, it’s hard to imagine them taking a big enough leap to seriously hang with the Crimson Tide.
Result: Win
Game 9: vs. LSU
In 2019, the LSU Tigers have top-five potential as they return Joe Burrow at quarterback and have a defense again littered with stars. However, until Ed Orgeron proves he can best Nick Saban, the latter gets the advantage.
Result: Win
Game 10: at Mississippi State
Last year, the Mississippi State Bulldogs gave the Alabama offense one of their toughest battles of the season. Unfortunately for Joe Moorhead’s team, his group is likely to take a step back in 2019, which won’t work out well against the Tide.
Result: Win
Game 11: vs. Western Carolina
If Tagovailoa isn’t pulled off the field before halftime, that would be a win for the Catamounts.
Result: Win
Game 12: at Auburn
While Auburn should hopefully have the quandary of replacing Jarrett Stidham solved by the end of the regular season and though anything can happen in the Iron Bowl, they simply don’t have the horses to ride with their rivals and the Tide should, as they say, roll.
Result: Win