After an astonishing 2008 season, which saw the Crimson Tide post a perfect 12-0 record during the regular season and maintain the top spot in the BCS standings for five consecutive weeks, head coach Nick Saban and Alabama will have a bit of reloading to do during the 2009 season.

Today we'll take a look at the Crimson Tide's 2009 prospects and what they'll need to do to replace some of last year's key players in the hopes of returning to the SEC Championship Game.

You can find our other previews at these links:

Arkansas Razorbacks Football Preview

Auburn Tigers Football Preview

Returning Stars: RB Mark Ingram, WR Julio Jones, DT Terrence Cody, LB Rolando McClain, RS Javier Arenas

Top Recruits: RB Trent Richardson, WR Michael Bowman, CB Dre Kirkpatrick, OT D.J. Fluker, LB Nico Johnson

Weaknesses: The Crimson Tide face two huge questions entering the 2009 season - the quarterback position and the offensive line. Senior quarterback John Parker Wilson is departed and redshirt junior Greg McElroy will take over the reigns. McElroy has not seen any significant playing time of note, and his performance will set the tone for the Alabama offense.

The offensive line is also a huge question mark, as the Crimson Tide lost three key starters from the 2008 squad, including NFL first round draft pick Andre Smith. The rebuilding job up front might not be as huge a mountain as some would have you believe, but it's nearly impossible to overstate the importance of the development up front. Saban relies on a heavy dose of the running game to control the clock and let his defense win games. If the offensive line can't take care of business it will spell trouble for Alabama.

The secondary must also improve this season, as their play was average at best during the 2008 season.

Strengths: Defense, defense, defense. The Crimson Tide rode their suffocating defense to an undefeated season and an SEC West title and they will have to rely on the unit again if they hope to compete in the SEC West yet again. The good news for the Crimson Tide is that nearly everyone returns from that terrific unit of a year ago. Terrence "Mount" Cody returns on the inside to provide a dominant force on the defensive line and headhunters Rolando McClain and Dont'a Hightower will roam the field from the linebacker position.

The Crimson Tide also have a full stable of running backs led by sophomore Mark Ingram. Ingram had an outstanding freshman campaign and will be joined by one of the nation's top prospects in Trent Richardson. Alabama also boasts one of the elite playmakers in the game in wide receiver Julio Jones, who is a threat to take it the distance on every snap.

Key Games: October 10th @ Ole Miss and November 7th vs. LSU

If the Crimson Tide can take care of business in these two games, they will likely repeat as SEC West Champions. Both of these teams gave Alabama quite a scare in 2008 and should be much improved teams this season.

Best/Worst Case: Alabama's season will come down almost exclusively to the play of the offensive line. If they develop and become a powerful, cohesive unit early on, there is no reason to think that Alabama cannot go undefeated again in 2009. If they struggle to replace Andre Smith, like they did in games against Tulane and Utah last year, it could be another long year for the Tide. The worst case scenario for the Tide would probably be a four loss season, while the best is another undefeated season and a repeat as SEC West Champions.

Stay tuned to SEC Sports Hub for our entire SEC West predictions, which we will release sometime in late July or early August.

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