Can Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide Win a 3rd Consecutive National Championship?

Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide have been easily the most dominant program of the last 5 years, and arguably among the most dominant dynasties in college football history. With 3 national titles in the last 4 years (and 4 overall) it is hard to think of a more highly decorated coach in the nation than Nick Saban. His win loss record with the Tide speaks for itself (68-13 overall, with 2 SEC championships), he has really gotten to the point where winning games and making bowl games is not enough. He is now being judged on SEC and national championships.

So this brings up the question, can Saban and the Tide win a 3rd straight national championship? Well, as we have come to realize, in order to even have a shot at a national championship you must at the very least win 10 or 11 games in the regular season. So, having said that, you must first look at the schedule for the Tide; they open with Frank Beamer and the Virginia Tech Hokies as the Chick Fil-A Kickoff game, the Hokies who historically have been among the best in the ACC had a down season in 2012 and hope to have a much improved 2013 campaign. Next on the slate is a showdown with reigning Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel and the Texas A&M Aggies in College Station, the only team to defeat the Crimson Tide in 2012. Johnny Football is electric, that's undeniable, however after losing starting left tackle Luke Joeckell to the NFL, it is hard to imagine Manziel duplicating his numbers from last year, this early test for the Tide and despite being a early match up, could potentially decide if the Tide is in fact on track for a 3 pete.

After facing the Aggies in College Station, they return to Tuscaloosa for two straight against the Ole Miss Rebels (and a phenomenal recruiting class) and then Georgia State on October 5th and 12th, before heading to Lexington to face the Kentucky Wildcats and new head man Mark Stoops on October 12th. Alabama then returns to Bryant-Denny Stadium for a three game SEC stretch, first facing off what many feel is a much improved Arkansas Razorback team on October 19th, then the Tennessee Volunteers the very next week and finishing up the home stand against Les Miles and the LSU Tigers in what has really become one of the highest profile, and most tightly contested SEC games year in year out. This growing rivalry between Saban's current squad and his former team has become a major determining factor in not only who wins the SEC, but also who may be competing in the national championship game in January.

After the Tide clashes with the Tigers, they travel to Starkville to take on Mississippi State, before taking on Chattanooga at home and they end the season against the in-state rival Auburn Tigers in the Iron Bowl.

Looking at the schedule, the Crimson Tide may have lucked out by avoiding two teams many feel could challenge the Crimson Tide for a SEC championship in the Florida Gators and the Georgia Bulldogs until potentially the SEC Championship game. But that's not saying that it is a cake walk for Saban this season. Far from it, competing in the SEC, without a doubt the most competitive conference in the country, you are in a battle every week. Luckily, the Crimson Tide returns many key starters to last seasons championship team, starting with quarterback AJ McCarron, who only threw for nearly 3,000 yards (2,933 to be exact) and 30 touchdowns (to only 3 interceptions), and of those 30 touchdown tosses, 11 were into the hands of electrifying wide receiver Amari Cooper, who some Alabama fans like to refer to as "Baby Julio" as a tribute to former Alabama stand out Julio Jones, Cooper had a solid freshmen season hauling in 59 passes for 1,000 yards.

TJ Yeldon

Leading the charge for the Tide's vaunted rushing attack is sophomore tail back TJ Yeldon, who despite splitting time with Eddie Lacy (who chose to forgo his senior season to enter the NFL draft) had over 1,100 rushing yards and 131 receiving yards for 13 total touchdowns (12 rushing), but they also are losing 3 members of arguably the best offensive line to the NFL draft (DJ Fluker, Barrett Jones and Chance Warmack) but if we have learned anything over the last few years about the Tide, it's that the young players waiting in the wings are no slouches either.

Despite losing defensive standouts like defensive linemen Jesse Williams, linebacker Nico Johnson and cornerback Dee Millner, the Tide still have an abundance of talent on the defensive side of the ball. Linebackers CJ Mosley and Trey DePriest both had very solid 2012 seasons, the two combined for 93 tackles, and with the recent history of Alabama linebackers stepping up and playing well (Rolando McClain, Courtney Upshaw and Dont'a Hightower in particular) I could very well see Mosley and DePriest stepping up and being very pivotal parts of the Tide defense this season.

By looking at the schedule and the returning contributes to both the offense and defense, I do feel the Tide can win a 3rd BCS championship, they have arguably the most talented roster top to bottom in the country, however with as unpredictable college football has been and the potential for injuries in the game of football it's hard to say anything is a given one way or another, however just by looking at the schedule and who is returning from last seasons championship team they have a very good chance of at the very least competing in a big time BCS bowl game, if not another championship game. One thing is for sure, we all will be very interested to see what happens once the Tide and the rest of the country begin competing in the 2013 college football season, preparing to make a run at a national championship.

Josh Gamez

@itsjoshgamez