Alabama Football 2017 Schedule: Are The Crimson Tide The Best Team In The Nation?

There is no disputing the Alabama Crimson Tide's dominance under Nick Saban. The longtime head coach began his career in Tuscaloosa with a 7-6 record in 2007, but he has been on a rampage ever since with a sensational 112-13 record and four national championships.

And Saban, 65, isn't going away anytime soon. In May, he signed a contract extension that will keep him in Alabama through the 2024 season and includes a $4 million signing bonus as well as a $11.15 million salary for 2017.

Bryant-Denny Stadium is expected to be pulsating for much of the upcoming season, with the Crimson Tide seeking their 17th national championship. Coming off a last-second loss in the title game against Clemson in January, Las Vegas oddsmakers give Alabama the best odds (3/1) of winning the national championship and the Crimson Tide are expected to start the season No. 1.

There are a lot of reasons to be bullish on the Tide's championship chances in 2017.

How Strong Is Alabama's Roster?

Saban has stated that this is among the youngest teams he's coached since 2012 and that it will be difficult to replace many of the players lost on defense. But this roster is loaded with talent, and many top players are back with something to prove.

Quarterback Jalen Hurts, along with running backs Bo Scarbrough and Damien Harris, should figure prominently under first-year offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. Scarbrough is recovering from a broken leg but is expected to be ready by the start of the season. Wide receiver Calvin Ridley could be one of the most dangerous big-play threats in the SEC and Hurts should be able to find him after improving his passing skills in the offseason.

Jonah Williams was rated by many as the top freshman offensive lineman in 2016 and he will essentially serve as Cam Robinson's replacement this season. Williams is expected to shine on a line that has plenty of depth and features returning starters Bradley Bozeman and Ross Pierschbacher.

While several defensive starters on defense are gone—star lineman Jonathan Allen and linebacker Reuben Foster, as well as safety Eddie Jackson and cornerback Marlon Humphrey have moved on to the NFL— defensive tackle Da'Ron Payne and Da'Shawn Hand are back and so is perhaps the nation's best secondary, which includes Minkah Fitzpatrick, Tony Brown and Ronnie Harrison. Linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton and Rashaan Evans are capable of making up for the absence of Foster and should be able to contain most opponents' running attack.

Saban also welcomes five freshmen ranked in the top 20 by ESPN's ranking system.

Who Are The Crimson Tide's Top Competition?

Whether Alabama wins it all may all depend on how strong top contenders like Ohio State, USC, Florida State, Oklahoma and Michigan prove to be, but there is no denying that the Tide have as good a chance as anyone of reaching the College Football Playoff.

Ohio State has a relatively soft schedule after a Week 2 matchup against Oklahoma, a home game against Penn State on Oct. 28 and the season finale on the road against Michigan. Should Urban Meyer's squad survive those tests, they will likely reach the CFP with J.T. Barrett at quarterback and defensive lineman Tyquan Lewis part of the 15 returning starters.

The USC Trojans will be replacing 11 starters, but they return Heisman Trophy candidate Sam Darnold and a strong running game. The defense is expected to be improved after a season learning Clancy Pendergast's system and with stars like linebacker Cameron Smith and defensive back Iman Marshall returning. But the Trojans have questions on their offensive line and a tough schedule.

Saban admitted that Florida State probably has "as many good players returning as anyone in college football." After facing Alabama in September, the Seminoles' non-conference schedule includes just Louisiana Monroe and Delaware State, but a road game against Clemson looms in November. Jimbo Fisher is good at getting the most out of his talent, so Alabama should be wary of Florida State this season.

Coming off an 11-2 season, Oklahoma immediately vaults into top contention if the Sooners defeat the Buckeyes. Quarterback Baker Mayfield looks like the early frontrunner for the Heisman with an experienced offensive line. On defense, Caleb Kelly and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo are among the best linebacker duos in the nation. The Sooners' schedule doesn't appear overly demanding with just four road games.

Many are optimistic that Michigan can make a serious push at the CFP despite the Wolverines losing almost all of their returning starters and without a legitimate starting quarterback. Jim Harbaugh has questions in the secondary, but the defense has a great deal of depth and some productive freshmen are expected to emerge from an excellent recruiting class. Michigan will begin the season with Florida, but the rest of the non-conference schedule is pretty weak. Road games against Penn State and Wisconsin will be a challenge, yet Michigan can still make a big splash with a roster that should see big improvements as the season progresses.

The consensus remains that at least on paper, Alabama has the most accomplished team of the group. It would be surprising if the Tide failed to reach the CFP even if some of the aforementioned teams overachieve.

Breaking Down The Schedule

First things first: Alabama must hold off Florida State in the Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The Seminoles are expected to be among the best teams in the nation with sophomore Deondre Francois at quarterback and defensive back and return specialist Derwin James. Both teams are so stacked that the loser still has a decent shot at reaching the CFP.

After the season opener, the schedule becomes decidedly weaker with back-to-back home games against uninspiring competition. Fresno State is coming off a 1-11 season, while Colorado State faced just one ranked opponent last season—the Rams lost to Boise State—in a 7-6 season.

The Tide's travel schedule is favorable to say the least, with seven home games and only four road games, which includes one against lowly Vanderbilt, their opponent in their fourth game of the season. It is very reasonable to assume Alabama will start the season with at worst a 3-1 record before facing tougher SEC challengers.

Before Alabama faces Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium, the Tide will host Mercer, a school that won just six games in 2016.

Aside from Auburn, the toughest test for Alabama in the SEC is, to little surprise, LSU. The Tigers no longer have Leonard Fournette, but they have a Heisman Trophy candidate in Derrius Guice. Alabama's rush defense will be tested by the junior, who rushed for 1,387 yards on 183 carries (7.6 yards per carry) and 15 touchdowns.

Georgia and Florida are not on the schedule, so the challenges outside of LSU is a home game against Tennessee and a "trap game" on the road game against Texas A&M. The Aggies, who might be ranked to start the season after an 8-5 record last season, lost starting quarterback Trevor Knight, top wide receiver Josh Reynolds and superstar defensive end Myles Garrett to the NFL, but return five players on offense and seven on defense.

In short, Alabama has just five opponents to be concerned about: Florida State, Texas A&M, Tennessee, LSU and Auburn. The Tide have faced tougher gauntlets before.

Alabama's 2017 Schedule

Sept. 2: Florida State (Atlanta)

Sept. 9: Fresno State

Sept. 16: Colorado State

Sept. 23: at Vanderbilt

Sept. 30: Ole Miss

Oct. 7:@Texas A&M

Oct. 14: Arkansas

Oct. 21: Tennessee

Nov. 4: LSU

Nov. 11: @ Mississippi State

Nov. 18: Mercer

Nov. 25: @ Auburn

Dec. 2: SEC Championship Game