College Football Odds: Alabama Crimson Tide to repeat in 2012-13?

The Alabama Crimson Tide are the defending BCS Champions, yet they're sandwiched in between LSU and the USC Trojans as the sports betting favorites for 2012-2013. With college football betting shops listing Bama' at 11/2 choice, are they a good choice to win the tital again in 2012-13? Lets find out of the Crimson Tide is the team to roll with for your college football picks. 

Despite a convincing win in the BCS Championship game, the Alabama Crimson Tide are the second choice to the LSU Tigers, tied with the USC Trojans and Heisman Trophy candidate Matt Barkley. This should be another exciting race just as it was in the 2011-2012 season. 

Big Hits

The Crimson Tide will suffer some major losses in the upcoming season as they lose former Heisman candidate Trent Richardson, linebacker Dont'a Hightower, defensive back Dre Kirkpatrick, safety Mark Barron, and linebacker Courtney Upshaw. Despite great recruiting, this will leave a big hole in the starting roster. 

Key Returnees 

On a positive note, quarterback A.J. McCarron, running back Eddie Lacy, offensive lineman Barrett Jones, and safety Robert Lester will all be returning for the Tide.

While fellow SEC teams like LSU have lost their starting QB's, Alabama has a major advantage in the return of McCarron. This is a quarterback that's already won a national championship as a junior, and has been a timely and efficient passer. McCarron is a quarterback that can be very complimentary to a reliable running game.

Last season he threw for 2634 yard (66.8% completion rate) with 16 TD and 5 INT. He's not going to put up the type of numbers a 'Landry Jones' would,  but McCarron can be counted on to keep the mistakes to a minimum and find the open receiver. Expect more of the same in the upcoming season. 

So long Trent!

The same thing was said last season in when running back Mark Ingram left for the NFL and the Tide were concerned if Trent Richardson could fit his shoes. Richardson did more than fill the role, as he helped lead the Tide to a National Championship with more than 2000 all-purpose yards and 24 TD's. 

Running back Eddie Lacy will be in the same position that Richardson was in going into his junior year and having legitimate amount of experience. In his sophomore season, Lacy rushed for 674 yards and 7 TD's. He averaged over 7 yards per carry. 

Inexperienced receivers 

Although they don't lack depth as a receiving core, the Alabama receiving game has definitely suffered some major losses as they lose their top 4 receivers led by Marquis Maze. 

However this is a team that is saturated with top level recruits and also has returning targets like Kenny Bell (17 receptions, 255 yards, 2 TD's), sophomore DeAndrew White (14 receptions, 151 yards, 2 TD), and senior tight end Michael Williams (16 receptions, 191 yards, 2 TD). Look for these receivers to increase production as they'll have more opportunities. 

A promising future  

Obviously, Alabama is targeted as on of the most desirable colleges for freshman recruits. At the moment, they have verbal commitments from 3 of the top 60 recruits in the nations in wide receivers Eddie Williams (ranked 24th), Amari Cooper (45th), and Chris Black (58th). Williams appears to be a big time prospect and a solid target a 6 foot 4. 

Top ranked defense 

The Crimson Tide were the top ranked defense last year, holding their opponents to just 8.2 points per game, 2.4 yards per carry, and shutting LSU out in the Championship game.

There are some voids to fill at linebacker and the secondary as they've lost Hightower and Upshaw at the linebacker positions and safety Mark Barron and Dre Kirkpatrick at defensive back. 

The Tide will look to the leadership of  senior defensive back Robert Lester and senior linebacker Nico Johnson. Last season Lester had 39 tackles and 2 INTs while Johnson had 46 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble. Bama is also expecting big things out of sophomore defensive back Vinnie Sunseri (30 tackles, 1 forced fumble). We'll have to keep an eye on number 3. 

Louisiana native, defensive back Landon Collins heads 15 defensive recruits for the Crimson Tide. It's no wonder why they have the best defense in the nation. Collins has good size, good speed, and is ranked 17 in the top 150 recruits in the nation.  

Quite simply, even with the losses of last year, this defense will be one of the best.  

Prediction 

The only weakness that I find for this team is the lack of experienced receivers. It will take time for the players to fit into the offense. Eddie Lacy has already proven that he can do the job and Alabama's defense will be a major strength once again this upcoming season.

Alabama has 3 major tests on their schedule. They open up the season at home against Michigan, they host Auburn in the Iron Bowl, and the biggest test comes as they visit LSU on November 3rd. 

Going undefeated is a difficult task to accomplish. Alabama is capable of it but look for the Crimson Tide to go 12-1.