2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Preview

When it comes to storied and prestigious programs in college football, it doesn't get much better than the Alabama Crimson Tide. Alabama is a cornerstone program in the Southeastern Conference, and in college football on a national scale. Alabama football came about in 1892, and have become one of the winningest programs in history. In total, the Crimson Tide have won 14 national championships, which it the most of any team in history. They have also won 26 conference titles, 22 of which are SEC titles, also the most in history. In all that time though, Alabama has produced just one Heisman Trophy winner, and that was very recent in 2009 when running back Mark Ingram captured the honor. The Crimson Tide play in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, in Bryant-Denny Stadium which can seat a capacity crowd of over 101,000. They have a number of rivals, but it doesn't get any more heated than the Iron Bowl at the end of the season against Auburn. And speaking of Bowls, Alabama has made 59 bowl appearances.

2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Outlook

Alabama enters the season as the defending national champions, winning their second BCS championship in three seasons. The Crimson Tide are one of the top contenders on the preseason BCS Championship odds, with only LSU and USC in front of them. Alabama is tied atop the list of favorites to win the SEC, as coach Nick Saban continues the tradition of big expectations in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide had a shutdown defense in 2011, but lost some of their biggest playmakers on that side of the ball. Still, Alabama returns several starters on both offense and defense. With A.J McCarron back at quarterback, there is definitely a comfort level with the offense going into the year. The Crimson Tide will probably be a top-five team to start out the season, and don't be surprised to see them in Atlanta at the end of the season playing for a conference championship and perhaps beyond.

Alabama Crimson Tide Football Schedule For 2012

• 09/01/12 vs. Michigan Arlington, Texas (Cowboys Stadium) 7 p.m. CT
• 09/08/12 vs. Western Kentucky Tuscaloosa, Ala. 2:39 p.m. CT
• 09/15/12 at Arkansas Fayetteville, Ark. 2:30 p.m. CT
• 09/22/12 vs. Florida Atlantic Tuscaloosa, Ala. TBA
• 09/29/12 vs. Ole Miss Tuscaloosa, Ala. TBA
• 10/13/12 at Missouri Columbia, Mo. TBA
• 10/20/12 at Tennessee Knoxville, Tenn. TBA
• 10/27/12 vs. Mississippi State Tuscaloosa, Ala. TBA
• 11/03/12 at LSU Baton Rouge, La. 7 p.m. CT
• 11/10/12 vs. Texas A&M Tuscaloosa, Ala. TBA
• 11/17/12 vs. Western Carolina Tuscaloosa, Ala. TBA
• 11/24/12 vs. Auburn Tuscaloosa, Ala. TBA