Here’s what Athlon Sports predicts for Alabama football in 2023

Like most of the other college football preview magazines ahead of the 2023 season, Athlon Sports is high on Alabama. Still, similarly to Lindy’s and Phil Steele, the magazine stopped short of declaring the Crimson Tide will win a national title. Here’s how Athlon Sports sees Nick Saban’s squad heading into 2023. Offensive predictions Like the other preview magazines, Athlon expects the Crimson Tide to be strong up front. Offensive tackle JC Latham was placed on the publication’s All-American first team. Athlon ranked the Alabama offensive line as the second-best in the league, behind Georgia, and fourth-best nationally. The preview also tabbed the Tide as the second best running back and receiver groups in the league. An opposing SEC assistant coach was quoted anonymously, noting that new offensive coordinator Tommy Rees will have far more depth at the skill positions than he did in his previous position at Notre Dame. The quarterback battle was pointed out as an area of concern, but a coach predicted Alabama will have someone surprising break out as an offensive contributor in 2023. Defensive predictions An opposing SEC coach questioned whether the Crimson Tide will be shifting back in time with defensive looks from new coordinator Kevin Steele, who held the same position from 2007 through 2008. They predicted the scheme will look quite different from what former coordinator Pete Golding was running. Athon was extremely high on cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry, naming him first-team All-American. McKinstry earned the same honor at punt returner. Linebacker Dallas Turner was named a potential breakout player and the magazine touted him as the heir apparent to Will Anderson. The publication ranked the Alabama defensive line third in the nation, the linebackers sixth and the defensive backs seventh. Overall predictions Like both Phil Steele and Lindy’s, Athlon predicted the Crimson Tide will win the SEC West. However, it projected Alabama will drop the SEC championship game to Georgia. Athlon ranked the Tide No. 3 nationally entering the season and noted it needs to clean up its performances on the road. It did pick Alabama to make the College Football Playoff and play Michigan in the Rose Bowl, but predicted the Wolverines will take that matchup before facing Georgia in the title game. Going back to the regular season, Athlon placed two of Alabama’s matchups on its “best games” list, the LSU and Texas games. The Tide’s tilts against Tennessee and Texas A&M were honorable mentions. Which Alabama football players made Athlon Sports’ 2023 preseason All-SEC teams? OL JC Latham– First team CB/PR Kool-Aid McKinstry– First team K Will Reichard– First team RB Jase McClellan– Second team C Seth McLaughlin– Second team LB Dallas Turner– Second team WR Ja’Corey Brooks– Third team