1. Areas of concern Alabama has several concerns looking into the crystal ball for 2014. The offense’s biggest concerns are the offensive line and the quarterback. The offensive line was one of the more underrated weaknesses the Tide had last season. Obviously, finding AJ McCarron’s replacement gets the most ink, and Blake Sims and Jacob Coker continue to battle it out, with little separation. Is it alarming that neither has really grabbed the starting job yet? It wouldn’t surprise anyone if Sims starts the 2014 season. The biggest defensive concern is the secondary. Nick Saban hasn’t liked his corners since Dre Kirkpatrick and Dee Milliner, and ball skills have been noticeably lacking. The staff is hopeful Eddie Jackson can return from his knee injury and be game ready, while also hoping freshmen Tony Brown and Marlon Humphrey aren’t typical freshmen and can provide an instant impact. 2. Schedule sets up beautifully Will Alabama have a major letdown in 2014? The schedule won’t allow that to happen. In fact, it sets up very favorably for the Tide, and if we learned anything over the last several years, it’s that when teams have favorable schedules they have to take advantage of it. And more times than not, the lesser road wins. The Tide won’t play a ranked team until week six against Ole Miss, and they play just four preseason ranked teams during the season, with Texas A&M, at LSU and Auburn looming. Read more http://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/alabama-football/sec-subplots-alabama-2014/
