1 of 14

Associated Press

After two straight major bowl losses, Alabama has lost the benefit of the doubt from a national perspective. No longer are the holes on the roster overlooked in Tuscaloosa, and on the offensive side of the ball there are nine craters for head coach Nick Saban and offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin.

The quarterback race appears to be narrowed a bit, with senior Jake Coker and redshirt freshman David Cornwell out front over the rest of the field. Wide receivers ArDarius Stewart and Robert Foster looked great in the spring game but are wildly inexperienced. Running backs Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake are phenomenal, but behind them there are plenty of unknowns.

The Tide should boast the best front seven in the SEC—if not the nation—but have to get more consistent play out of their secondary.

Alabama has the talent to be great, but has plenty of questions. Because of that, the season could go in a wide variety of directions based on how well the coaching staff answers those questions.

Optimistic: 12-0.

Pessimistic: 7-5, with losses to Auburn, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Georgia and one out of the group of Arkansas, Texas A&M, LSU and Wisconsin.

Realistic: 11-1, with a loss to just one of those teams mentioned above.