Alabama is the defending College Football Playoff national champions.
But with Devonta Smith, Mac Jones and Najee Harris in the NFL, does the Crimson Tide have what it takes to reload and repeat in 2021?
In this article, we’ll look at what some of the nation’s top college football experts are predicting for the Alabama football team in 2021.
Athlon Sports Projects Alabama’s 2021 Football Season
Projected National Ranking: 1st
Projected SEC West Ranking: 1st
Count Athlon as one of the true believers in Nick Saban’s ability to repeat with this version of the Crimson Tide.
In the annual college football preview magazine, Athlon projects Alabama to finish No. 1 in the nation and No. 1 in the SEC.
Athlon projects a return the the College Football Playoff, where the Crimson Tide is slated to face a familiar foe in Dabo Swinney’s Clemson Tigers.
“Despite returning just 11 starters from one of the most dominant single-season runs in college football history, Alabama is positioned to win it all once again.”
Athlon’s 2021 SEC Football Preview
Lindy’s Sports Projects Alabama’s 2021 Football Season
Projected National Ranking: No. 1
Projected SEC West Ranking: No. 1
Add Lindy’s Sports to the list of publications that believe new Crimson Tide starting QB Bryce Young is capable of picking up where Mac Jones left things.
Lindy’s says that there is enough talent on the Crimson Tide offense to make up for the personnel departures, provided that they mesh with former Houston Texans coach Bill O’Brien as the new Alabama offensive coordinator.
“Everything is set up for another Alabama championship run. The offense is stacked with talent; it just needs time to mesh with the new assistants.”
Lindy’s Sports 2021 College Football Preview
2021 Alabama Football Schedule
There are four games away from the friendly confines of Bryant-Denny Stadium that could test the Crimson Tide this year.
Alabama starts its season on Sept. 4 against Miami at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Other challenging games on the schedule include a trip to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium to play Florida on Sept. 18 and a road game against Texas A&M at Kyle Field on Oct. 9.
The Crimson Tide will close the season at Jordan-Hare Stadium against Auburn in the Iron Bowl.
Cover image of Alabama WR John Metchie III via RollTide.com.
SEC Y'ALL 