What Lindy’s Sports thinks about Alabama football before 2023 season

Looking at 2023′s group of college football preview magazines, certain themes emerge. In Alabamafootball’s case, the Crimson Tide are expected to continue playing at a high level. However, whether Nick Saban and company are up for a 2023 national title run is up for debate. After all, LSU and Tennessee are projected to have strong seasons again after beating the Tide in 2022, and Georgia is primed to try and win a third consecutive College Football Playoff championship. In his yearly preview, Phil Steele predicted the Tide will win the SEC West. Another publication that thinks highly of Alabama? Lindy’s Sports. Offensive predictions Lindy’s projected the Tide will be improved at wide receiver with Ja’Corey Brooks and Jermaine Burton each expected to turn in big seasons. It praised Emmanuel Henderson Jr. and Malik Benson as well. The magazine notes Alabama does not have an established quarterback with Bryce Young gone and it will be important to get the position figured out quickly with Texas coming to Tuscaloosa in the second week of the season. Lindy’s speculated that the Tide might run the ball more this season, even with Jahmyr Gibbs gone. Even so, it listed offensive tackle JC Latham as the best pass blocker in the league. Defensive predictions The magazine predicted Alabama will show overall improvement on defense. It listed linebacker Dallas Turner as the SEC’s No. 1 NFL talent, noting the league is always looking for pass rushers. Lindy’s also mentioned the hire of Kevin Steele to run the defense after Pete Golding left for the coordinator job at Ole Miss. The Tide had issues stopping teams like Tennessee, LSU and Ole Miss last season. The magazine ranked Turner as the league’s top pass rusher and Kool-Aid McKinstry as its top cover cornerback. Turner was also listed as the SEC’s defensive player of the year. Overall predictions Like Steele’s preview, Lindy’s chose the Crimson Tide to win the SEC West. It noted that the season could very well come down to a battle with LSU in Tuscaloosa. Alabama had six games listed among what the magazine predicted will be the biggest of the year. Those matchups included Texas, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Tennessee, LSU and Auburn. Lindy’s also pointed at Alabama as the nation’s best recruiting staff. Which Alabama football players made Lindy’s 2023 preseason all-SEC teams? OL JC Latham– First team K Will Reichard– First team LB Dallas Turner– First team DB Kool-Aid McKinstry– First team DB Malachi Moore– Second team LB Chris Braswell– Third team