2012 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

The 2012 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA", "Bama" or "The Tide") will represent the University of Alabama in the 2012 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It will mark the Crimson Tide's 118th overall season, 79th as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and its 21st within the SEC Western Division. The team will be led by head coach Nick Saban, in his sixth year, and play their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Previous season
In 2011, Alabama came into the season ranked No. 2 in both preseason polls. The Crimson Tide won eight consecutive games to open the season before they lost to then No. 1 LSU-ranked 9–6 in overtime. Alabama bounced back and won its remaining games to finish the regular season with eleven wins and one loss (11–1) and secured their fourth consecutive ten-win season. Alabama finished No. 2 in the final BCS rankings over both Oklahoma State and Stanford to set up a rematch with LSU for the 2012 BCS National Championship Game. In the game, Alabama defeated LSU 21–0, allowed only 92 yards of total offense, and became the first team in BCS bowl history to shut out their opponent. The victory gave Alabama their 14th national championship and made Nick Saban the only coach in college football to win three BCS Championships.

Spring practice
Spring practice began on March 9 and concluded with the annual A-Day spring game on April 14. The only players that did not compete during the spring practice period were Eddie Lacy, Blake Sims and Arie Kouandjio due to injuries; and Duron Carter, Michael Bowman and Ronald Carswell due to team suspensions.


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In the annual A-Day game at the conclusion of spring practice, the White team composed of defensive starters defeated the Crimson team of offensive starters 24–15. The Crimson team opened on offense and on their first offensive play, A. J. McCarron threw an interception to Robert Lester. Each team then traded punts and the first quarter ended tied at zero. On the first offensive play of the second quarter, T. J. Yeldon was tackled in the endzone for a safety to give the Crimson team a 2–0 lead. The White team responded on their next possession with a 48-yard Cade Foster field goal to take a 3–2 lead before McCarron threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Christion Jones to give the Crimson team a 9–3 halftime lead.

In the third quarter, the White team scored a pair of touchdowns on successive possession to take a 17–9 lead. Both were made on a pair of long Phillip Sims touchdown passes to Chris Black on a 44-yard reception and to Yeldon on a 50-yard reception. The Crimson team responded with a two-play, 70-yard drive that saw a Demetrius Hart run of 23-yards and a 47-yard McCarron touchdown pass to Kenny Bell. After the unsuccessful two-point conversion, the White team still led 17–15 at the end of the third quarter. In the fourth, both defenses again held both offenses scoreless. The only points came late in the quarter when Vinnie Sunseri recovered a Michael Williams fumble caused by Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix and returned it 21-yards for a touchdown and a 24–15 White victory.

For his performance, Adrian Hubbard earned the Dwight Stephenson Lineman of the A-Day Game Award for his seven tackles that included four tackles for a loss and three quarterback sacks. T. J. Yeldon earned the Dixie Howell Memorial Most Valuable Player of the A-Day Game Award for his 179 all-purpose yards on the day that included 88 rushing and 91 receiving, in addition to a 50-yard touchdown reception.

Coaching staff
Alabama head coach Nick Saban will enter his sixth year as the Crimson Tide's head coach for the 2012 season. During his previous five years with Alabama, he has led the Crimson Tide to an overall record of 50 wins and 12 losses (50–12) and both the 2009 and 2011 national championships. On January 18, 2012, Alabama officials announced the hires of both Doug Nussmeier from the Washington Huskies as offensive coordinator and of Lance Thompson from the Tennessee Volunteers as outside linebackers coach. Nussmeier took the place of Jim McElwain who left to become the head coach at Colorado State and Thompson took the place of Sal Sunseri who left to become the defensive coordinator at Tennessee.



Recruiting class
Prior to National Signing Day on February 1, 2012, six high school players that graduated early and two junior college transfers of the 2012 recruiting class enrolled for the spring semester in order to participate in spring practice. These early enrollments included: defensive lineman Ryan Anderson, wide receiver Chris Black, wide receiver Amari Cooper, linebacker Dillon Lee, defensive tackle Alphonse Taylor and running back T. J. Yeldon from high school and defensive backs Deion Belue and Travell Dixon from junior college. On February 1, seventeen additional players signed their National Letter of Intent to play at Alabama.

Alabama's recruiting class was highlighted by thirteen players from the "ESPN 150": No. 6 Landon Collins (S); No. 11 Eddie Williams (ATH); No. 20 Cyrus Jones (ATH); No. 22 Chris Black (WR); No. 30 Brandon Greene (OT); No. 31 Geno Smith (CB); No. 49 Amari Cooper (WR); No. 55 T. J. Yeldon (RB); No. 59 Dillon Lee (OLB); No. 93 Ryan Anderson (OLB); No. 100 Korren Kirven (DT); No. 109 Reggie Ragland (ILB); and No. 121 Tyler Hayes (OLB). Alabama signed the No. 1 recruiting class according to Rivals.com and the No. 2 recruiting class according to Scout.com. It was the fourth time in five years that Alabama had the No. 1 recruiting class according to Rivals, an effort that Rivals analyst Mike Farrell described as "somewhat of a dynasty" and compared to USC in the early 2000s. In recognition for his accomplishments in helping Alabama land its highly rated 2012 class, Jeremy Pruitt was named Recruiter of the Year by 247Sports.

Schedule
The 2012 schedule was officially released on December 28, 2011. With the addition of both Missouri and Texas A&M to the conference, the SEC abandoned its previous scheduling format to accommodate its expansion. As such, Alabama will face all six Western Division opponents: Arkansas, Auburn, LSU, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M. They will also face two Eastern Division opponents: official SEC rival Tennessee and Missouri. Alabama is not scheduled to play SEC opponents Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, Florida or Vanderbilt. They are also scheduled to play four non-conference games: Michigan of the Big Ten Conference, Western Kentucky and Florida Atlantic of the Sun Belt Conference and Western Carolina of the Southern Conference. Alabama is scheduled to have one bye week following the Ole Miss game and prior to playing Missouri.


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Michigan

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On October 14, 2010, officials from both Alabama and the University of Michigan announced the Crimson Tide and Wolverines would meet to open the 2012 season in the Cowboys Classic at Arlington, Texas. In their most recent game, Michigan defeated Alabama 35–34 in the 2000 Orange Bowl, and the Wolverines lead the all-time series 2–1.

WKU

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In the home opener for the 2012 season, Alabama will play the Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky University. In their only other meeting, Alabama defeated Western Kentucky 41–7 during the 2008 season.

Arkansas

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In their first true road game of the season, Alabama will play the Arkansas Razorbacks at Fayetteville. In their previous meeting, Alabama defeated Arkansas 38–14 during the 2011 season, and the Crimson Tide lead the all-time series 12–8 (15–7 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).

Florida Atlantic

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In their fourth game of the 2012 season, Alabama will play the Florida Atlantic Owls for the first time.

Ole Miss

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In their annual rivalry game, Alabama will play the Ole Miss Rebels at Tuscaloosa. In their previous meeting, Alabama defeated Ole Miss 52–7 during the 2011 season, and the Crimson Tide lead the all-time series 45–9–2 (49–8–2 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).

Missouri

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In their first meeting as conference foes, Alabama will play the Missouri Tigers at Columbia. In their previous meeting, Alabama defeated Missouri 38–28 during the 1978 season, but the Tigers lead the all-time series 1–2.

Tennessee

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In their annual rivalry game, Alabama will play the Tennessee Volunteers at Knoxville. In their previous meeting, Alabama defeated Tennessee 37–6 during the 2011 season, and the Crimson Tide lead the all-time series 48–38–7 (49–37–8 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).

Mississippi State

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In their annual rivalry game, Alabama will play the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Tuscaloosa on homecoming. In their previous meeting, Alabama defeated Mississippi State 24–7 during the 2011 season, and the Crimson Tide lead the all-time series 74–18–3 (76–17–3 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).

LSU

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In their annual rivalry game, Alabama will play the LSU Tigers at Baton Rouge. In their previous meeting, Alabama defeated LSU 21–0 in the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, and the Crimson Tide lead the all-time series 46–25–5.

Texas A&M

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In their first meeting as conference foes, Alabama will play the Texas A&M Aggies at Tuscaloosa. In their previous meeting, Alabama defeated the Aggies 30–10 during the 1988 season, and the Crimson Tide lead the all-time series 3–1.

Western Carolina

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In the final non-conference game the 2012 season, Alabama will play the Western Carolina Catamounts. In their previous meeting, Alabama defeated the Catamounts 52–6 during the 2007 season, and the Crimson Tide lead the all-time series 1–0 (2–0 without NCAA vacations).

Auburn

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In the 2012 edition of the Iron Bowl, Alabama will play the Auburn Tigers at Tuscaloosa. In their previous meeting, Alabama defeated Auburn 42–14 during the 2011 season, and the Crimson Tide lead the all-time series 41–34–1.