'08 Bama - More than Anything else, for this Year, there needs to be some Consistency! (CFN '08 Bama Preview)

Head coach: Nick Saban
2nd year: 7-6
13th year overall: 98-48-1
Returning Lettermen:
Off. 23, Def. 23, ST 3
Lettermen Lost: 21

Ten Best Alabama Players
1. OT Andre Smith, Jr.
2. C Antoine Caldwell, Sr.
3. S Rashad Johnson, Sr.
4. LB Rolondo McClain, Soph.
5. WR Julio Jones, Fr.
6. CB Kareem Jackson, Soph.
7. QB John Parker Wilson, Sr.
8. RB Terry Grant, Soph.
9. NT Lorenzo Washington Jr.
10. TE Nick Walker, Sr.

Alabama needs to win now or else there will be more pressure next year than there normally would be. The much-maligned Mike Shula came up with a ten-win season in 2005, and this year's team is far better.

It'll be tempting to look to the future after a 2008 recruiting class with mega-talents like WR Julio Jones, OT Tyler Love, LB Jerrell Harris and QB Star Jackson, but many of the top prepsters will be needed now. Considering next year the offense will likely be breaking in a new quarterback, star linemen Andre Smith (most likely) and Antoine Caldwell will be off to the NFL, along with safety Rashad Johnson, and many of the star recruits will still be a year away from shining, this is the year to come up with results or else it might be 2010 before the program really hits its stride.

More than anything else, for this year, there needs to be some consistency. Jim McElwain is the team's third offensive coordinator in as many years, the defense has major turnover in the back eight, and there can't be gaffes like there were last year against UL Monroe. The coaching staff is in place, the talent has been upgraded, and the expectations are starting to build.

Full 2008 'Bama CFN Preview @ cfn.scout.com