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2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Schedule Rundown
Alabama's 2012 schedule is typical of how Nick Saban has been scheduling since he has been in Tuscaloosa. The Tide's schedule is filled with plenty of tough opponents with a few cream puffs in between. Here are just a few highlights from the Crimson Tide's upcoming season.
Sept 1 - Michigan
The Tide opens the 2012 season in Cowboys Stadium against quarterback Denard Robinson and the Michigan Wolverines, who took home a BCS Bowl victory last year against Virginia Tech. With the exception of last year, the Tide has opened up its season with a tough opponent and this year it's the Wolverines. As good as they were on offense with Robinson at QB, Michigan didn't improve that much on defense. Robinson is a good QB, but the Tide's defense has been known to shut down good quarterbacks (see Jordan Jefferson and Tyler Wilson).
Sept 8 - vs. Western Kentucky
Sept 15 - @Arkansas
The Tide normally opens their SEC schedule with Arkansas. Other then the 2010 match-up which Alabama had a come from behind victory, the Razorbacks haven't given the Tide much trouble since Nick Saban has been around, but the Razorbacks were expecting to make a run this year at a national championship behind quarterback Tyler Wilson and returning running back Knile Davis. It's going to be interesting to see how they'll respond without head coach Bobby Petrino running things.
Sept 22 - Florida Atlantic
Sept 29 - Ole Miss
Last year's Ole Miss game was a showcase for former Tide running back Trent Richardson who ran up and down the field last year on the Rebels; even with a new head coach, expect a similar outcome.
Oct 6 - Off Week
Oct 13 - @Missouri
Welcome to the SEC Missouri and lucky you, you get a home game against the defending national champions. The Tigers are known for their high powered offense over the years, but they have lost a few players from last year's team and going against Alabama even at home might be too much for them.
Oct 20 - @Tennessee
Last year the Vols went toe to toe with the Tide in the first half, but the Tide wore them down but that was without quarterback Tyler Bray who was injured at the time. Bray is back this year, so it wouldn't be a shocker if this game is closer this year especially with head coach Derek Dooley on the hot seat.
Oct 27 - Mississippi State
Dan Mullen and his Bulldogs may still be looking for their first SEC win against an opponent other than Ole Miss when this game rolls around again.
Nov. 3 - @LSU
Game of the Century part 3? Maybe. The Tigers have a lot returning from last year's team and will be seeking revenge against the Tide in Baton Rouge after they were embarrassed in the national championship game back in January. Quarterback Zack Mettenburger is said to be better then either Jordan Jefferson or Jarrett Lee. LSU will be probably be pre-season No. 1. We'll see if the Tigers can live up to the billing this season.
Nov. 10 - vs. Texas A & M
Like Missouri, the Aggies have to face the Tide this year, but unlike the Tigers, the Aggies will have to play the Tide in Tuscaloosa without quarterback Ryan Tannehill which will be a tough task; it would be a tough task if Tannehill were quarterbacking this year but going into Tuscaloosa with an inexperience qb against that Tide defense is asking a lot.
Nov. 17 - vs. Western Carolina
Nov. 24 - vs. Auburn
The Iron Bowl is normally a very close game and don't expect any less this year even though the game is being played in Tuscaloosa where Auburn has been very successful. The key to the Tigers in 2012 will be quarterback play which they didn't get much of last year and how well their defense has improved. Bama quarterback AJ McCarron had a field day last year against the Auburn defense throwing three touchdowns. If the Tigers are to have a chance, they can't let that happen again.
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