2009 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Preview
2009 Alabama Crimson Tide season preview from Maddux Sports. Below you can find our official Alabama Crimson Tide football preview as well as the 2009 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Schedule. We also offer a free odds comparison service of lines and totals on the NCAA football odds page.
Coach: Nick Saban (3rd year at Alabama)
Team Name: Crimson Tide
2008 Overall Record: 12-2
Returning Starters: 13
The Alabama Crimson Tide (12- 2 overall, 8-0 SEC) were perfect in the SEC last year, winning the West. The fourth ranked nationally Tide met the seventh ranked Utah Utes in the Sugar Bowl, losing 17- 31. It was a bitter end to what was overall a fine season. This year, the Crimson Tide returns weaker on offense but just as strong or stronger of defense.
Last season, Alabama put an average of 30.1 PPG (35th nationally) on the board. With the 30th ranked running game, which was led by Glen Coffee, the Tide ripped up the field. Although Coffee is gone, there’s plenty of depth in the ground attack. Sophomore RB Mark Ingram (143 ATT, 728 YDs, 12 TDs) is a tough runner who looks to be the heir apparent. Freshman Trent Richardson will get some touches at the RB position. Replacing three-year starting quarterback John Parker Wilson will be junior Greg McElroy (11 ATT, 9 COMP, 123 YDs, 1 TD, 1 INT), who looked very fine in spring practice. His primary go-to receivers will be sophomore Julio Jones (58 REC, 924 YDs, 4 TDs), who led the team in receptions as a freshman, and senior Mike McCoy (16 REC, 191 YDs, 1 TD). On the O-line, which has some question marks, senior guard Mike Johnson provides leadership.
The Bama defense was ranked seventh nationally last season, allowing just 14.3 PPG. The “D” was rated second versus the run and 30th against the pass. Upfront, nose tackle Terrance Cody (24 TKLs, 0.5 SK, 4 TFL) provides able leadership. He’s flanked by two experienced seniors. At inside linebacker, junior Rolando McClain (95 TKLs, 3 SKs, 9 TFL, 1 INT) is a top performer. The secondary offers some fine players, including safety Justin Woodall who grabbed four picks last season.
The return game is headed by corner back Arenas who averaged 15.9 yards per punt return and 23.6 yards per kick return. He also scored three touchdowns on punt runbacks. At anytime, he can break one for a score. Senior punter P.J. Fitzgerald (59 Punts, 2,427 YDs, 41.1 YPP, 15 In20) has a good leg. Last season, Leigh Tiffin (46- 47 Extra Pts, 20- 29 FG) had a tough time with accuracy, although he did hit a 54-yard field goal.
On the recruiting front, head coach Nick Saban (19- 8 in two years with Alabama) has once again scored big. As he did last year, Saban has the finest new group of players in the country, including quarterback A.J. McCarron, wide receiver Kendall Kelly and running back Trent Richardson. Last season, the Tide was upset by Florida (Atlantic) 31- 17 in the final game of the season. They were then defeated by Utah in the Sugar Bowl. This season, Alabama has a kind non-conference schedule that includes Virginia Tech (Atlantic), FIU, North Texas and Chattanooga. The October 10 contest versus Ole Miss and November 7 against LSU will be proving grounds for this team. The Tide is one of the top teams in the West. This season, the club will finish either second or third and earn a middle tier bowl bid.
Alabama Crimson Tide Football Schedule
| Date | Team | Opponent | Site | Line | Total | Points | Opp Points |
| 9/5/2009 | Alabama | Virginia Tech | neutral | ||||
| 9/12/2009 | Alabama | Florida Intl. | home | ||||
| 9/19/2009 | Alabama | North Texas | home | ||||
| 9/26/2009 | Alabama | Arkansas | home | ||||
| 10/3/2009 | Alabama | Kentucky | away | ||||
| 10/10/2009 | Alabama | Mississippi | away | ||||
| 10/17/2009 | Alabama | South Carolina | home | ||||
| 10/24/2009 | Alabama | Tennessee | home | ||||
| 11/7/2009 | Alabama | LSU | home | ||||
| 11/14/2009 | Alabama | Mississippi St. | away | ||||
| 11/21/2009 | Alabama | Chattanooga | home | ||||
| 11/27/2009 | Alabama | Auburn | away |
For more info on the 2009 Alabama Crimson Tide football program, view the Crimson Tide official website or scroll down below to read up on the rest of the SEC competition.
