Tide once again title contenders

Orlando Sentinel college insider Matt Murschel ranked all 130 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in the country entering the 2017 season. The Sentinel staff takes a closer look at a new team daily, counting backward from No. 130 to our projected No. 1 team.

6 Alabama

Nick Saban (119-19 entering 11th season; 210-61-1 in 21 seasons overall)

14-1 overall, 8-0 Southeastern Conference; first in West Division

Year after year, Alabama’s seasons invariably come down to the final game. Last season was no different. Coach Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide rolled through the regular season and SEC Championship, winning by an average margin of nearly 25 points.

During the College Football Playoff semifinals, Washington never had a chance during a 24-7 loss. But Clemson won the national title game on a lastsecond touchdown, giving the 65-year-old Saban plenty of motivation entering the offseason.

For the first time since 2013, Alabama returns its starting quarterback. Jalen Hurts earned SEC Offensive Player of the Year honors largely due to his 954 yards and 13 touchdowns running the ball. Hurts spent the offseason looking to improve as a passer, an area where he was inconsistent yet still managed 23 touchdown throws and just nine interceptions.

But Alabama’s offense does not necessarily go as Hurts goes. Elusive tailback Damien Lewis ran for 1,037 yards, while 6-foot-2, 232-pound bruiser Bo Scarbrough finished with 812 yards. Hurts also returns his top target, junior receiver Calvin Ridley.

Thanks to seven straight top-ranked recruiting classes, Alabama often reloads rather than rebuilds. Yet the Tide have some big holes to fill.

Gone on defense are three-year starting end Jonathan Allen, the 2016 National Defensive Player of the Year, and All-America linebacker Reuben Foster, who set the tone on defense.

The schedule is demanding as always, beginning with a matchup with Florida State in Atlanta. But year after year, the Tide rise to the challenge.