Kirk Herbstreit bullish on Alabama, expects Tide to bounce back in 2023

Normally, when somebody says they are high on Alabama heading into a season, people laugh. ‘Yeah, okay. Way to be bold.’

This year might be different, with there being some serious doubt surrounding Nick Saban‘s program. Georgia has won back-to-back titles, Kirby Smart has taken over, maybe the game has passed Saban by. Something along those lines.

Kirk Herbstreit is having none of it, saying he is bullish on Alabama. Recent history has told us Saban is able to bounce back in a big way after a disappointing season. There are more pieces to the puzzle, though. We most likely will see a pre-Tua Tagovailoa-style approach from the Crimson Tide, both offensively and defensively.

“I’m bullish on Alabama this year,” Herbstreit said on Thursday during The Herbie Awards. “I just have that weird feeling. People kind of ‘Oh Saban. There’s a new sheriff in town. It’s Kirby and Georgia. Alabama is done, Saban is done.’ All that kind of talk.

“I think it just motivates — history tells us. When Alabama doesn’t quite accomplish their goals from a year before, even though they have quarterback concerns — look for them to bounce back. It’s going to be the old-school Alabama. Running the football, field position, taking care of the ball, winning the turnover battle. I think they go back to their roots.”

Offensively, the quarterback situation does bring a ton of questions. None of Tyler Buchner, Jalen Milroe, nor Ty Simpson have been named the starter. Saban has stated the job will go past the first week of the regular season as well.

As Herbstreit mentioned, look for the run game to once again be the program’s bread and butter. The offensive line has gotten bigger, while there are a slew of running backs ready to carry the rock. Saban famously said Alabama is trying to make opposing defenses quit. That’s the mentality under new offensive coordinator Tommy Rees.

Defensively, Alabama wants to be what they have been for years under Saban. Taking up the same ‘Make their *** quit’ will be discussed by those players. Winning in the trenches while having an elite secondary has been the recipe in past national championship years.

So, in a year where some people are willing to dump all of their Alabama stock, Herbstreit is potentially buying. He did take the over 10.5 wins, meaning Alabama would likely be in a great spot to contend for a College Football Playoff and the national championship.