Alabama Wins Another BCS Title; All That Remains Is to Play the Games

Is it too early to name a BCS champion-in-waiting?

Of course not. It's already been done by a vast array of college football observers who bow down to the chalk.

So, before the first snap of the season, it would already be a huge upset this season if Alabama does not win their third straight BCS championship and fourth in five years.

The Crimson Tide schedule is set up well for another title run, but hazards abound in the powerful SEC. Last season, Alabama lost at home to Texas A&M, struggled at LSU, and came within five yards of losing the SEC title game to the Georgia Bulldogs.

Could the Bulldogs take that last step this season and dethrone the Crimson Tide? Quarterback Aaron Murray returns, as well as running back Todd Gurley and ten players who started at least one game on a very good defense last year. What could hurt Georgia is their schedule. Clemson is a formidable opener on the road and South Carolina visits the next week. LSU comes to Athens in Week Five, and Missouri follows two weeks later. And don't forget the rivalry games with Florida and Georgia Tech.

Texas A&M expects to challenge 'Bama in the SEC West, as Heisman Trophy winner and party guest extraordinaire Johnny Manziel returns along with underrated  running back Ben Malena and wide receiver Mike Evans. The Aggies get Alabama at home this season in Week Three, and after that, the toughest game on the schedule should be LSU on 23 November at Tiger Stadium.

LSU is in the mix every year, and this season, the Bayou Bengals return quarterback Zach Mettenberger and leading rusher Jeremy Hill along with receivers Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham. The Tigers' defense is always strong, and will be again as five starters return. LSU plays TCU on opening night and has a tough early schedule with Georgia, Mississippi State, and Florida before their late-season showdown with Alabama.

The Florida Gators could be a dark horse as quarterback Jeff Driskel returns, but their schedule is the opposite of Alabama's. It's extremely challenging, including out-of-conference games with Miami and Florida State along with SEC tussles with LSU, Georgia, and South Carolina.

The SEC schedule is a gauntlet, to be sure. There will be an upset or two somewhere along the line. But chances are one team will be unscatheed enough to make it to the BCS championship game. And we all know what happens when the SEC has a team in that game.

For the rest of college football, a new format can't come soon enough.