The Athletic’s Steward Mandel made a few headlines the other day when he said the Florida Gators would struggle to a 3-9 record and that head coach Billy Napier would be fired.
Now, Alabama may not be in the same situation as Florida, however, Mandel doesn’t see the Crimson Tide bouncing back this year and winning a national championship.
Mandel says this Alabama team is “flawed” and sees the Tide finishing with a 9-3 record.
"This looks like a pretty flawed team that has a chance to be his worst team since 2010." @slmandel explains his 9-3 prediction for Alabama to @finebaum
— Brandon Zimmerman (@BZSEC) August 24, 2023
“This looks like a pretty flawed team that has a chance to be his worst team since 2010,” he said.
A team going 9-3 in most places is a great season, but this is Alabama football Mandel is talking about and anything less than perfection or close to it, is not acceptable.
But Alabama does have several questions going into this season starting with quarterback. The biggest offseason news is who will be replacing quarterback Bryce Young and so far, no one has stepped up. That’s not good for a team expecting to contend.
The Tide is also looking to replace Will Anderson on the defensive side, but Dallas Turner seems to be the player everyone expects to step up and take his place.
The last time the Tide went 9-3 in the regular season they won a national championship the following year, so maybe having the same record this year wouldn’t be a disaster after all.
