Team: Alabama

Nickname: Crimson Tide

Conference: Southeastern (West)

Location: Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Coach: Nick Saban (3rd year, 19-8; 110-50-1 career)

Last Bowl: 2009 Sugar

Last season: 12-2, 8-1

All-time leading passer John Parker Wilson departs, but the Crimson Tide have a lot returning on both sides of the ball to help soften the blow. Alabama had one of the nation's best defenses in 2008, and will be just as good, if not better, with six of the top seven tacklers and nine starters returning.

The season is a success if ... The Crimson Tide win the SEC championship. Of course, that would mean beating Florida, but Alabama could very well be undefeated in the regular season.

The season is a failure if ... Alabama fails to win the West division. There's a big game Oct. 10 at Mississippi that may decide if it happens. The Tide have won 13 of the last 15 against the Rebels.

Impact Player: Sophomore, Julio Jones, receiver. The big-time recruit turned out to be worth the hype, catching 58 passes for 924 yards and four TDs. At 6-foot-4, 210-pounds, he's a constant threat.

Fun Fact: While the Crimson Tide are one of the top programs in college history, winning 798 games, they're the winningest school to never have a Heisman Trophy winner.