The biggest question on offense is who replaces two-year starter Greg McElroy at quarterback. Redshirt freshman Phillip Sims and sophomore A.J. McCarron have continued their battle into fall camp. With the competition still so close, Saban says he won’t hesitate to use both in games. Neither player has started a college football game, although at least McCarron has gotten on the field a bit. Last season, he was 30-for-48 passing for 389 yards and three touchdowns. The Tide lost former Heisman winner Mark Ingram at running back, but still have one of the nation’s best there in Trent Richardson. He finished with 112 carries for 700 yards and six touchdowns last year while working behind Ingram. Star WR Julio Jones is gone. Marquis Maze is Alabama's top returning receiver with 38 catches for 557 yards and three touchdowns. The line should be a strength with four starters back.

The Tide defense was terrific last year, finishing third in scoring defense, but could be better in 2011 with 9 starters back. 2011. Alabama has the best duo of linebackers in the nation in seniors Courtney Upshaw and Dont'a Hightower. Both considered early jumps to the NFL but decided to return for their own reasons. Upshaw led the Crimson Tide in 2010 with seven sacks and finished with 52 tackles. Hightower was second for tackles with 69. Safety Mark Barron is an All-American and three-year starter. He had three interceptions and a team-high 75 tackles last fall.  The only real question on this unit is the line.

Alabama opens the season Sept. 3 vs. Kent State. The Tide’s over/under win total at Bodog is 10.

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