News:Alabama shut out Auburn on Saturday.
Analysis: The Tide finished the year with an average of just 9.3 points allowed per game, and that's despite losing players like Mark Barron, Dre Kirkpatrick, Dont'a Hightower, Courtney Upshaw, Josh Chapman and DeQuan Menzie to the NFL. It seems like no matter who Alabama might lose this offseason, there will be more stars ready to pick up the slack.
News:Alabama shut out Western Carolina on Saturday.
Analysis: The Tide barely needed to make an effort in this one. They added a sack and a fumble recovery Saturday, and are a near lock to put a similar beating on Auburn.
News:Alabama allowed 29 points against Texas A&M on Saturday.
Analysis: The Tide failed to force a single turnover, they it at least had four sacks. A huge bounce back is in store against Western Carolina.
News:Alabama allowed 17 points against LSU on Saturday.
Analysis: The Tide didn't give up big plays, but they surprisingly didn't force any, either, finishing with three sacks but no turnovers. If there ever was a time to bench Alabama it would be against Texas A&M this week, but we still don't feel comfortable recommending it.
News:Alabama allowed seven points against Mississippi State on Saturday.
Analysis:Alabama forced three turnovers in the game -- one interception and two fumble recoveries. Even on the road against LSU, you want to keep the Tide active next week.
News:Alabama allowed 13 points against Tennessee on Saturday.
Analysis: The Crimson Tide forced two interceptions, as well. Keep the Tide active against Mississippi State.
News:Alabama allowed 10 points against Missouri on Saturday.
Analysis: The Tide added three sacks and two interceptions. Tennessee presents a significant test on the road, but we can't advise benching Alabama.
News:Alabama allowed 14 points against Mississippi on Saturday.
Analysis: The Tide added five sacks and three interceptions, as well as a kickoff return for a touchdown. Alabama is worth starting every week.
News:Alabama allowed seven points against Florida Atlantic on Saturday.
Analysis: The Tide also posted three sacks. When this is a 'bad day' for your fantasy defense, you know you have it good. Keep the Tide rolling against Mississippi.
News:Alabama shut out Arkansas on Saturday.
Analysis: The Tide added four sacks, two interceptions and recovered three fumbles. A monstrous day for an immensely talented defense. Keep the Tide rolling against Florida Atlantic.
News:Alabama shut out Western Kentucky on Saturday.
Analysis: The Crimson Tide posted three sacks while they were at it, adding two turnovers, as well. Alabama plays on the road this week against Arkansas, but the Razorbacks might be without Tyler Wilson, who is suffering from "head" symptoms -- and we all know what that's a code word for.
News: With no Tyler Bray the Volunteers had no chance against the Alabama defense as Matt Simms and Company were only able to muster 155 yards of total offense. Tauren Poole got 19 carries but was only able to turn them into 67 yards while Da'Rick Rogers had two catches for 32 yards.
Analysis: As long as Bray is out, there is no sense carrying a Tennessee player on your roster. However, remember that Bray could return for the season finale against Kentucky, which would make for a nice start.
News: In his effort to harass Tyler Wilson and shut down the Arkansas offense, Alabama linebacker C.J. Moseley hurt his elbow and is listed as questionable for next week's game against Florida.
Analysis: The Tide defense should still be fine, but Moseley is one of the team's top playmakers and will be missed.
News: For those of you waiting on Lance Dunbar to break out of his funk, you will have to wait at least another week as he should find nothing but a stone wall against Alabama this weekend.
Analysis: Dunbar is one of the most talented rushers in the country, but also plays for one of the worst teams. Once the conference slate is in full swing, he should be good to start.
News: Alabama linebacker Dont'a Hightower fractured his hand on Sunday but is expected to be back in practice as early as tomorrow.
Analysis: Hightower is one of the Tide's defensive stalwarts, and his quick turnaround shows his toughness, too.
News: After a tumultuous tenure at Alabama, defensive back Robby Green has decided to burn his last year of eligibility at Division II California University of Pennsylvania.
Analysis: Green just couldn't stay out of the doghouse and with all the talent in Tuscaloosa it may be best for both parties that Green has moved on.
News: ![CDATA[After missing the entire 2009 season due to a torn ACL, Alabama linebacker Dont'a Hightower was never full strength last year. Hightower now says that he is back at 100% and is ready to play.
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Analysis: Hightower is one of the defense's top players and leaders. With him at full force, expect the Tide defense to dominate once more.
News: After missing the bowl game thrashing of Michigan State with a torn pectoral muscle, Alabama safety Mark Barron is reportedly "almost 100%" and will likely be ready for the season opener.
Analysis: Barron is an all-SEC talent who should help bolster an already-steadfast Crimson Tide defense. Alabama's defense and special teams should be ones taken in any draft.
News: In the same article from TideSports.com that covered Darrington Sentimore "exploring his transfer options" comes the possibility of another member of the Crimson Tide transferring. Defensive back Robby Green was suspended all of the 2010 season and was recently suspended for the spring after violating team rules. It is rumored that Green may not return to Tuscaloosa, and with one year of eligibility remaining, could transfer to a lower division in order to be eligible immediately.
Analysis: As I have said before, Nick Saban has a revolving door of super recruits and there is bound to be some losses with all the oversigning that takes place. You will be hard pressed to notice the departures of Sentimore and Green this season.
News: Since the middle of January, Alabama has seen a defensive lineman, a linebacker, a defensive back, and two running back transfers and they may have to add to that list soon. Defensive lineman Darrington Sentimore is said to be exploring his transfer options with Miami being a possible destination. After his work in the spring, Sentimore was expected to see more playing time.
Analysis: Nick Saban has built such a powerhouse that it is doubtful that all these castoffs will at all affect the product that takes the field but you have to wonder what is in the water in Tuscaloosa.
News:Analysis: Alabama allowed seven points against Georgia State Thursday while totaling two sacks, four interceptions, a blocked punt and two touchdowns. Starting them against Auburn, however, might not be the greatest idea ever.
News:Analysis: Alabama's defense was looking to make a statement in Week Eleven, this after falling short of stopping LSU in an important SEC West battle a week earlier at LSU, and succeeded in doing so against Mississippi State, surrendering just 10 points and 299 yards of offense to the Bulldogs. The combination of quarterbacks Tyler Russell and Chris Relf proved almost non-existent against the Tide's secondary, accounting for just 150 yards passing, a touchdown and two interceptions between the two of them. Vick Ballard did earn 80 yards on the ground, but was much less effective running the ball versus Alabama than he was in Week Ten against Kentucky. A sure-thing in terms of defensive production meets the Crimson Tide in Week Twelve, as Georgia State comes to Tuscaloosa on Thursday, 11/18; fantasy owners will want to take advantage of the opportunity, as Alabama's next and final contest pits them up against hated in-state foe, Auburn.
News:Analysis: Alabama's defense didn't play poorly in Saturday's loss to LSU, surrendering just over 200 yards of passing to the combination of Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee, and preventing any single Tigers' tailback from reaching 100 yards rushing. It was LSU's unconventional love of trickery that ultimately proved the Crimson Tide's downfall, however, with DeAngelo Peterson taking a reverse on fourth-and-one for a 23 yard gain that ultimately set up a go-ahead touchdown run by Stevan Ridley that proved the difference maker in Saturday's contest. As such, Alabama becomes just the latest victim of what has become a pattern of risky late-game fourth-down conversions by Les Miles' offense, with Florida just one of several SEC foes who ended up meeting the same fate against the Tigers. Alabama hopes to avoid a similar outcome next week at home against Mississippi State, and should find success doing so. Dan Mullen's team has proven feisty in recent contests against teams like Georgia and Florida, but haven't met up with a defensive unit the likes of Alabama so far this year.
News:Analysis: Alabama's defense absolutely manhandled the Tennessee Volunteers Saturday, holding quarterback Matt Simms to just 12-of-22 passing, 117 yards and an interception, allowing UT to convert just five-of-15 third down attempts, and forcing a total of two turnovers. Only downside in a big win on the road in Knoxville? The fact that Nick Saban's squad gave up 117 yards and a touchdown to running back Taurean Poole, the first time any rusher has broken 100 yards against the Crimson Tide since former Ole Miss tailback Ben-Jarvus Green-Ellis did so back in 2007. Even with this being the case, Alabama only surrendered 159 yards on the ground in its victory over the Volunteers, and 315 yards of total offense. It was a second-straight outstanding performance from a unit that game up 35 points two weeks earlier in a loss to South Carolina and provides plenty of confidence for the Crimson Tide as it heads into a primetime showdown on 11/6 against LSU.
News:Analysis: Alabama allowed 10 points against Mississippi Saturday while totaling two sacks and an interception. They're an obvious must-start against Tennessee.
News:Analysis: Alabama allowed 35 points against South Carolina Saturday while totaling one sack, one interception and a safety. It's hard to have much faith as they take on Mississippi, but expect them to play better.
News:Analysis: Alabama stopped the Gators running game, holding them to 79 yards rushing, and intercepted Florida three times in a 31-6 victory. The Tide recovered a fumble and C.J. Mosley sealed the game with his interception and touchdown return.
News:Analysis: Alabama stopped the Razorbacks running game, holding them to 64 yards rushing, and intercepted Ryan Mallett three times in a 24-20 victory. The Crimson Tide did give up 357 yards through the air.
News:Analysis: Alabama allowed 13 points to Duke Saturday while totaling one sack, one interception and a kick return for a touchdown. Alabama's defense is a must-start most weeks, but next week against Arkansas might be an exception.
News: Nick Saban's defense held Penn State to 283 total yards and just three points Saturday.
Analysis: 'Bama's defense is the one to own and will continue to impress throughout the year.
News: Alabama's defense held San Jose to three points and only 175 yards Saturday.
Analysis: A great start for Nick Saban's defense, continue to start these guys.
News: Alabama defensive end Marcell Dareus has been declared ineligible to play, the Tuscaloosa News reports.
Analysis: Dareus is the first major casualty of the NCAA's growing investigation into improper sports agent connections. He was arguably Alabama's best defender and was far and away their top defensive lineman. We'll be moving Alabama down in our defensive rankings in light of this.
Alabama DE Dareus Latest to Face NCAA Investigation
News: Marcel Dareus is under NCAA investigation for allegedly attending a party thrown by a sports agent over the summer, ESPN reports.
Analysis: Dareus is one of the top defensive line talents in the country and easily the best on the Alabama defense. If he misses any time, it's a major hit for a Tide defensive line that's already rebuilding thanks to the departures of players like Terrence Cody, Brandon Deaderick and Lorenzo Washington.
News: Alabama's defense intercepted three passes and allowed just 84 total yards of offense in their victory over Chattanooga on Saturday.
Analysis: The Mocs did not score and really posed no challenge whatsoever to one of the top defenses in the nation. Alabama's defense will face a more-daunting challenge when they take on Auburn's 16th-ranked offense on Friday.
Alabama Defense Picks Off Three in Week 11 Victory
News: Alabama's defense intercepted three passes in their victory over Mississippi St. on Saturday.
Analysis: Safety Mark Barron picked off two passes and now has six interceptions this season. Expect a big performance from the Alabama defense when they take on FCS Chattanooga in Week 12.
News: The Alabama defense allowed just 95 rushing yards on 29 carries in their victory over LSU last Saturday.
Analysis: Alabama's defense was not spectacular against the Tigers, but they still played well enough to secure the victory. Alabama will take on Mississippi St. in Week 11.
News: Alabama's defense limited Tennessee to just 76 rushing yards in their victory over the Volunteers on Saturday.
Analysis: Tennessee's average offense could not get much going against Alabama, so don't expect LSU and their 106th-rated offense to fare much better in Week 9.
Alabama Defense Shuts Down South Carolina in Week 7
News: The Alabama defense limited South Carolina to just six points in their victory over the Gamecocks last Saturday.
Analysis: Alabama's defense dominated the Gamecocks on the ground, limiting them to just 64 yards on 27 attempts. Saftey Mark Barron also returned an interception 77 yards for a touchdown in the game. Expect another big outing from the Crimson Tide defense when they take on Tennessee on Saturday.
