Nick Saban called 2021-22 a rebuilding year, yet the Alabama Crimson Tide managed to make it to the CFP finals and their quarterback, Bryce Young won the Heisman.
It begs the question: What will they serve up for an encore?
The excitement is palpable and it all starts with Young. In spite an offensive line that was relatively weak and which helped lead to an uncharacteristic 39 sacks, Young in his first full season at the helm threw for 4,872 yards, 47 TDs, a 67% completion rate and just 7 INTs.
Now he’s back as a junior and should be even more comfortable in the offense and the coaches will be able to open the playbook even wider.
There are some questions on offense, especially at receiver and offensive line as the Tide need some players to step up. But that is nothing new for this team that recruits at or near the top every season. They’ve also brought in some strong players through the transfer portal. It’s generally just a question of who will step up.
The sky’s the limit for this team where it’s national title or bust.
2022 Alabama Crimson Tide NCAA Football Futures Odds
- Odds to win the 2022-23 NCAA Championship: 7/4 (+175)
- Odds to win the 2022 SEC Conferences: -145
- Odds to win the 2022 SEC West Division: -600
- 2022 Regular Season Win Total: Over 10½ (-330)
- Odds to Make the Playoffs: Yes -275 | No +200
- 2022 Heisman Contenders: Bryce Young +450, Will Anderson Jr. +1200, Jahmyr Gibbs +2800, Jacorey Brooks +30000 & Jermaine Burton +30000
- Official website: rolltide.com
- Twitter Account : @AlabamaFTBL
Odds to win the 2022-23 NCAA Championship: 7/4 (+175)
They have the best odds not only because they have Young, an elite offense and arguably the best coach in the game. It’s also because they have one of the very best defensive players to help anchor that side of the ball.
LB Will Anderson piled up 34.5 tackles for loss last year and an incredible 17.5 sacks. He’ll have an elite unit to work with, arguably the best in the country.
The defensive line should be strong even if they aren’t dominant, but the secondary also has a chance to be special with a combination of elite transfer Eli Ricks along with a cast of experienced and returning veterans.
Add it all up and they are worthy favorites.
The Verdict: Worth a bet
Odds to win the 2022 SEC Conference: -145
One player we know will be counted on for dynamic plays on offense is RB transfer Jahmyr Gibbs. He has home run potential and given all the attention likely to be shown to Young and the passing game, expect several opportunities each game to break a big play.
They may have lost to Georgia in the CFP final, but they are the defending conference champ and have won the SEC seven of the last ten years. Everyone is gunning for them, but they remain the team to beat.
The Verdict: Worth a bet
Odds to win the 2022 SEC West Division: -600
The odds make this an expensive bet, so that’s the main reason to hold off unless you have deep pockets. Texas A&M is a real threat and Arkansas is returning to excellence, but there is too much talent here to think the Tide won’t be the team to emerge from the division for the tenth time in the last 11 years.
The Verdict: Skip it unless you have moderately deep pockets
2022 Regular Season Win Total: Over 10½ (-330)
It’s not an easy schedule by any means, starting with a trip to Texas in week two. They’ll also visit Arkansas in week five and at LSU coming out of their bye. The five road games in total is also one more than many of the top teams schedule themselves.
They are helped by having Texas A&M at home, but it comes right after the Arkansas game.
But given the talent, especially at QB along with a long history of winning at least 11 regular games, there’s every reason to think Alabama will clear this hurdle when it’s all said and done.
The only real hesitation is the odds.
The Verdict: Worth the bet if you can invest at these odds
Odds to Make the Playoffs: Yes -275 | No +200
Who are we kidding? Alabama has made the playoffs seven of the first eight years of the CFP playoff system. As long as they stay healthy at key positions this year, they should be back again.
The Verdict: Yes -275
2022 Heisman Contenders: Bryce Young +450, Will Anderson Jr. +1200, Jahmyr Gibbs +2800, Ja’Corey Brooks +30000, Jermaine Burton +30000
Young would be the first repeat winner since RB Archie Griffin won it back-to-back in 1974-75. He’s also be just the second player to ever do it and the first quarterback. That is a lot of history to overcome.
Not even Tim Tebow managed to repeat in spite leading Florida to consecutive national titles. He’ll put up great numbers, but voters will look to reward someone else, unless his stats absolutely blow everyone out of the water.
The Verdict: Skip it
Anderson could be one of those players the voting committee tries to reward. Only one primarily defensive player has ever won the award and that was Charles Woodson in 1997. He’ll need to come up with a lot of memorable plays and not just big stats to come out on top. Given how dominant the offense should be, that seems like a real long shot with all the blowout wins to come.
The Verdict: Skip it
Gibbs is a very enticing pick given his big play ability out of the backfield, catching the ball and even on special teams. He’s only got 232 career carries in his first two seasons and 60 receptions when he was with Georgia Tech, but the opportunities should be there for him to shine on this huge stage. Only one running back has won the Heisman in the last ten years, but he’s an intriguing long shot pick.
The Verdict: Worth a small bet
Brooks and Burton figure to lead a strong receiving core, but they are true long shots at this point and not quite in the same league as former Tide, Devonta Smith, the only receiver to win the award in the last 30 years -and just the fourth all-time.
The Verdict: Skip them
Odds According to Bovada as of August, 2022
Alabama Crimson Tide 2022 Schedule
| SEASON | |||
| Date | Time | Opponent | TV |
| 3-Sep | 7:30 p.m. | Utah State* | SECN |
| 10-Sep | 12:00 p.m. | at Texas* | FOX |
| 17-Sep | 4:00 p.m. | Louisiana–Monroe* | SECN |
| 24-Sep | Vanderbilt | ||
| 1-Oct | at Arkansas | ||
| 8-Oct | Texas A&M | ||
| 15-Oct | at Tennessee | ||
| 22-Oct | Mississippi State | ||
| 5-Nov | at LSU | ||
| 12-Nov | at Ole Miss | ||
| 19-Nov | 12:00 p.m. | Austin Peay* | ESPN+/SECN+ |
| 26-Nov | Auburn | ||
Home stadium: Bryant–Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL
*Non-conference game – All times are in Eastern time
Bet on the Alabama Crimson Tide 2022 Season at Bovada Sportsbook.
