SEC West Previews: Q&A with Bama Hammer

Apr 19, 2014; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Blake Sims (6) warms prior to the A-day game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Tony Breland from our sister FanSided site, Bama Hammer, was kind enough to answer some of our questions about the Tide…

1. Without A.J. McCarron and Katherine Webb we lost on who will play Quarterback for the Tide. Who will it be?

"The overwhelming fan opinion is that Jacob Coker will be the starter. Coker seems to have the total package, but he has an uphill battle to learn the offense and work to gel with the team before the season starts. Blake Sims has fought hard to earn the shot, though, and I fully expect that they will share time in the first game against West Virginia. My prediction is that Sims takes the first snap under center in that game, splits time for a game (or possibly two), but eventually loses out to Coker."

2. Coming into the year, is there a feeling Bama might be vulnerable or do you feel like this is another year of the current dynasty that should be just as good as the last 5-6?

"I would ask: vulnerable where? Assuming the QB situation gets locked down, Alabama is very solid. A great offensive line, loaded at running back and wide receiver. Solid defensive line, with more athletic players in the secondary. The kicking game is still a concern, but I think Alabama has all the tools to get to this season’s 4-team playoff."

3. Is there one game, other than LSU, that you have circled as the biggest game of the year?

"Auburn. They were an unbelievably lucky team last season (and yes, players executing the strategy tends to bring a lot of luck) and it would be fantastic to show them what an Alabama team clicking on all cylinders can do with Gus Malzahn’s offensive gameplan. They hype and fan interest will be off the charts for that game, and the players are ready to avenge that loss as well."

4. Usually defense is Alabama’s specialty, but the Tide return a ton of offensive talent except McCarron. Do you expect the offense to be better than the defense?

"Maybe not better, but certainly more battle-ready. The Tide defense has to replace some key players, including CJ Mosely and Vinnie Sunseri, but Landon Collins has assumed the role of leader of the defense. What will be interesting is to see Nick Saban attempt to remold his defense to a more reactive squad, to be able to handle the rise of the spread, no-huddle offense."

5. The MSU/Bama games in Tuscaloosa have been blowouts since we Croomed Shula in 2006. Do you see any chance it is a close game this year?

"Not really. I’m amazed Dan Mullen has stuck around this long, and should have a decent squad, but they’re simply over-matched against Alabama."