Alabama Crimson Tide
Southeastern Conference
They came into the year as one of the best teams in the country. Their defense was extraordinary; their offense would be loaded on the back of a Heisman frontrunner. Alabama would be in store for great things in the 2011 college football season. In the end, it was only good enough for second place in the western division of the Southeastern Conference. However, it was also good enough for second place in the nation and a trip to the BCS National Championship game. Let’s say that expectations were reasonably met.
2011 Record: 11-1, 7-1
Last Bowl Appearance: 2010 Capital One Bowl vs. Michigan State (W 49-7)
Big Wins: 9/10 at Penn State (27-11), 10/24 Arkansas (38-14)
Bad Losses: 11/5 LSU (6-9)
Coach: Nick Saban (54-12 at Alabama, 145-54-1 overall)
Bowl Record: 3-1 at Alabama, 6-6 overall
Offensive Coordinator: Jim McElwain
Defensive Coordinator: Kirby Smart
Strengths:
Clearly the strengths of the Crimson Tide reside on the defensive side of the ball. Even in their demoralizing loss to LSU earlier this season, the defense was stout, if not impenetrable. They were able to control most of that game, failing in their own offensive attempts, but never allowing LSU to get anything going all game long. Alabama has ended the season ranked at or near the top of the nation in pretty much all important defensive categories. They rank number one overall in total defense, scoring defense, pass defense, rushing defense and pass efficiency defense. Even more impressive than finishing first in the nation in all these areas were the numbers that Alabama gave up. The Tide allowed fewer than nine points per game for the entire season. Only five times all season did their opponent score in double figures. And the most points they gave up in any game was 21 to, oddly enough, an FCS opponent. They also only gave up 75 yards rushing per contest, a staggeringly low number that proves how effectively they were able to control games. Besides not forcing turnovers at a historic clip, this Alabama defense is one of the best Nick Saban has ever had and the very best in the country in 2011.
Weaknesses:
Although their offense is not on the same plane as their defense, the Alabama offense was not terrible this season. They had a solid running game and talented backs. Their quarterback also played within himself most Saturdays. Against LSU, they appeared conservative and had trouble producing but so did most of the rest of the country. At the end of the year, Alabama still averaged 36 points per game, even including that six point effort against the Tigers. The real weakness of this team is special teams, a culprit that often takes the sizzle out of some of the best teams both in college and the NFL. The field goal kicking was putrid. Although Jeremy Shelley was serviceable, he did not have the leg strength to attempt long field goals. Thus, his value was greatly diminished. It also forced Nick Saban to turn to Cade Foster on a number of occasions, most glaringly in the LSU game. Foster missed seven of his nine field goal attempts this season, missing three in the LSU loss alone. Punting and punt returning had their rancid moments as well. In the end, if it wasn’t for special teams, the Tide would be undefeated right now.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Trent Richardson, RB, 1,583 yards
Passing: A.J. McCarron, QB, 2,400 yards
Receiving: Marquis Maze, WR, 627 yards
Tackles: Dont’a Hightower, LB, 81
Sacks: Courtney Upshaw, LB, 7.5
Interceptions: DeMarcus Milliner, CB, 3
2011 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 219.83 (15th in nation, 1st in conference)
Passing Offense: 213.58 (74, 4)
Total Offense: 433.42 (31, 2)
Scoring Offense: 36.0 (16, 3)
Rushing Defense: 74.92 (1, 1)
Pass Defense: 116.33 (1, 1)
Total Defense: 191.25 (1, 1)
Scoring Defense: 8.83 (1, 1)
Turnover Margin: 0.50 (26, 3)
Sacks: 2.08 (43, 3)
Sacks Allowed: 1.25 (26, 2)
