10 questions with Phil Steele

Crimson Confidential's Creg Stephenson caught up with Steele for 10 questions regarding the upcoming Alabama and SEC football seasons.The following is the first half of that conversation:

CC: What is your overall evaluation of Alabama as a team heading into the 2008 season?

PS: Alabama, every other year, plays a tougher schedule — Alabama and Auburn's schedules switch. So Alabama plays the tougher of the schedules this year, they have to play teams like Georgia, Tennessee, LSU all on the road. As far as the talent, 13 returning starters, not quite as deep as I'd like, but it's getting there. I think next year Alabama will really have the depth to contend for the SEC West. They do have my No. 17 rated offensive line, my No. 27 rated defensive line. They've got a veteran senior quarterback in John Parker Wilson, solid running back in Terry Grant. It's a good Alabama team, but they play a tough schedule. I see next year as the year they really contend in the SEC West. This year, I've pegged them for third in the West and got them playing in the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Virginia Tech."

CC: What is the realistic upside for Alabama this year, given the toughness of the schedule?

PS: "With the schedule, playing Georgia, which is probably going to be AP No. 1 coming into the season; Tennessee, which is a very experienced team, the only thing they're lacking is an experienced quarterback, but every other part of that team is in great shape; and then playing LSU at Death Valley; and of course, the season-ender against Auburn. I'm very high on Auburn this year; I think they're a darkhorse national title contender. So those are four very tough SEC games. Even the opener against Clemson; Clemson has the advantage in that not a lot of college teams play games in domes. Clemson actually finished their season last year in the Georgia Dome, so they're very familiar with the site and that's a nice little edge for them to have to open up the season."

CC: What are the chances that Alabama ends its 6-year losing streak to Auburn this year and what will it have to do to make that happen?

PS: "I thought Alabama played a good game against Auburn last year; it's not like they were dominated at the line of scrimmage. The last couple of years, they've played competitively in the game. I personally rate the game a toss-up, so it's a game that Alabama could easily win. And they do have that at home. But when you look at Auburn this year, they've got 16 returning starters, they have my No. 8-rated defense in the country. Offensively last year, they had a question mark and it was the offensive line. The offensive line really struggled, especially early in the year, kept Brandon Cox running for his life most of the year, had the 9-13 (touchdown-to-interception) ratio. That was because the offensive line had three freshmen starters. This year, those three freshmen are now sophomores. In fact, all five starters are back on the offensive line. It goes from a weakness to a strength. I like the new spread offense that they have with their new offensive coordinator Tony Franklin from Troy. Kodi Burns is a perfect fit for that offense, and this is a team that is going to be playing with a lot of confidence. They've got most of their tough games at home this year, and there is a possibility they could enter that Alabama game even 11-0. The only game I have them an underdog in all year is at West Virginia, but keep in mind, Auburn's new defensive coordinator, Paul Rhoads, was Pitt's defensive coordinator last year. And Pitt, of course, shut down (West Virginia quarterback) Pat White and company. So this is a very dangerous Auburn team. But it wouldn't surprise me at all if Alabama upset them. Right now, in Vegas, at the Hilton (sports book), Auburn is a 3-point favorite over Alabama, so it really is a close game."

CC: Is it possible, given the toughness of Alabama's schedule, that the Crimson Tide could improve as a team this year and it not necessarily show in their record?

PS: "Yes, I do feel that way. I think they are an improved team. I think any time a first-year head coach comes in, he's got to learn the players' strengths and weaknesses. The players have to learn his systems. I really think when you take a look at Alabama's schedule next year (2009), with the returning that they have next year, and the fact that new head coaches have their best seasons in their third year, I think Alabama's going to be a prime-time contender for the West next year."

CC: How much of a difference does a head coach make, and when will Alabama start to reap the benefits of Nick Saban?

PS: "I think next year's going to be a great year for Alabama. This year is going to be a good year; it's going to be a bowl season, it's going to be a winning year, it's going to be improved over last year. Alabama should top last year's seven-win total. But I think to get to the level where Alabama fans expect them to be, you're talking about 2009, because the schedule gets a lot softer, at Mississippi, at Kentucky, at Mississippi State. All of a sudden, those are very winnable road games next year. All the toughest opponents are at home. The non-conference schedule, I'm seeing Tulane; I'm not sure what the other two non-conference teams are, but definitely an easier schedule for Alabama next year. And most of Saban's starters in his third year will be his own recruits, and that's usually when a coach has the biggest gain in the following season. Now, when you look at LSU the year they won the national title, 2003, they had a very soft schedule, a very manageable schedule. So a lot of it is schedule-driven. So Alabama playing Georgia and Tennessee on the road out of the East is not the most favorable situation this year."

For Part II of Crimson Confidential's interview with Phil Steele, CLICK HERE.

For more information on Phil Steele's publications, visit www.philsteele.com