Bama versus LSU - Not what it usually is for 2014?

Not that they lack talent, but mostly because I cannot recently recall Bama facing 4 foes prior to the LSU game who actually have somewhat of a chance to beat them prior to arrival in Baton Rouge (UF, Ole Miss, TAMU, Tenn). Usually, in the more typical season, they have one or maybe 2 tough games prior to the LSU and Auburn games at the back end of the season. Plus, they do not appear to have a McCarron kind of composed QB waiting in the wings, which has been huge for them in recent years.

This year, it looks like they are catching WVU on a poor year (as was last year, with USA Today ranking them 78th, and they are otherwise expected to finish 9th in the Big 12), so despite the appearance and the effort to schedule a difficult opponent up front, they will likely sail into the Florida game 3-0, and perhaps #1 in the country (the pollsters will still give them lots of love)

However, unlike many of the recent years when the skies cooperated for them, they face a stout Florida defense with an improving offense for game 4, and have to travel to a very talented Ole Miss team for game 5, and then have TAMU for game 7 prior to playing at rival Tenn for game 8. True, that TAMU and Tenn will likely lose, but will make them work hard in the process. With a rookie QB, expect them to lose at least 1 of these, and there is a chance they lose 2 of them.

Then they get 2 weeks off, and face LSU, a once-in-10-years-strong Miss State, and then end with the always tough Iron Bowl. Expect them to lose 1 of these, and there is a credible chance that they lose 2 of these.

If WVU would be traditionally strong, and even with them as they will be, I think this may be the toughest Bama schedule they have faced in many years. They could lose as many as 3 or 4 games this season.

The trailer parks could get real ugly in Bama land this fall....

So, while we are all anxious for a hard fought game in early Nov on national tv, and it will be, it will be much harder for Bama to show up in the top 5 as they did rather easily in years past.