link1 ALABAMA
Last season: 10-3. Final AP ranking: No. 10.
Notables: In his fifth year with the Crimson Tide, Coach Nick Saban has a fully mature program, which is capable of replacing four first-round draft picks, plus the quarterback of the 2009 national championship team. At some point a decision at quarterback between A.J. McCarron and Phillip Sims has to be made, and because of injuries and transfers, running back is thin behind Heisman Trophy contender Trent Richardson -- but arguably Saban's best defense can atone for any offensive shortcomings. Having LSU and Arkansas at home doesn't hurt, either.
Predicted record: 13-0.
Predicted bowl: BCS championship game vs. Oklahoma.
2 LSU
Last season: 11-2. Final AP ranking: No. 8.
Notables: The Tigers are a consensus preseason top 5 team and national-title contender despite having only one first-team All-SEC player, cornerback Morris Claiborne (Alabama has nine), a quarterback whose performance against Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl has produced wishful thinking that he's significantly improved and a coach who's still perceived as luckier than good. But this team could be more than a sum of its parts. Replacing punter Derek Helton and kicker Josh Jasper could be the difference between victory and defeat, especially on the road.
Predicted record: 11-1.
Predicted bowl: Sugar vs. Virginia Tech.
25 AUBURN
Last season: 14-0; Final AP ranking: No. 1.
Notable: The Tigers return only six starters from last season's national title team, and about the only recognizable name left is running back Michael Dyer.
Predicted record: 7-5.
Predicted bowl: Liberty vs. Southern Mississippi.
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