Last season: 6-7
Last game vs. Georgia: 37-23 loss (2003)
Series Record: Alabama leads 35-25-4
Most memorable Georgia win: 1965 Flea-flicker
Most memorable Georgia loss: 1984 Mike Shula’s game-winning drive
Starters returning: 16
Best player: Andre Smith
Biggest Weakness: Questions on defense
2007’s big question: Will Nick Saban be as good as Alabama’s fans want him to be?
Inside the numbers vs. Georgia (as seen in the 2007 Dawg Post Season Preview):
68%
Only 68% of Alabama’s total points from last season came from touchdowns scored. The Tide scored 298 total points – 204 on touchdowns, 29 on extra points, 63 on field goals, and two on a safety. Bama’s total was second worse in the SEC, only percentage points higher than Ole Miss. The Rebels and Tide were the only two programs in the SEC last season which did not score 70% or more of their points from touchdowns. What does all of that mean? Bama kicked too many field goals instead of scoring touchdowns last season. Four of Bama’s six losses were by seven points or less.
SEC Media Day’s quote to note:
“I am surprised it took y’all this long to ask me that.” Alabama head coach Nick Saban on recent arrests of Crimson Tide players.
“I am very aware of all of the things that happened. What was accomplished at LSU was special to us. We have no ill will towards anyone. It was not personal that we left LSU. It was professional. You can’t go back. There was no opportunity for me to go back to LSU. Now I can’t say that any better or any more, so I would like someone to record that and we can just press play.” Saban on the reaction on LSU
“I actually took a pay cut – did you put that in there? I don’t feel like I am totally responsible for how this salary thing has gone.” – Saban on his salary.
Legge’s projected SEC finish: 4th SEC West
Legge’s 2006 projected SEC finish: 4th SEC West
Actual SEC finish: 4th SEC West