The Alabama Crimson Tide are getting extremely close to kicking off their first season without Nick Saban since 2006.

It’s a new era in Tuscaloosa, and it’s one that new head coach Kalen DeBoer is embracing eagerly. While there are some new faces for Alabama, much of the core remains and DeBoer inherits what is still one of the best rosters in college football.

While he has more talent than he has ever had in his coaching career, DeBoer is also facing by far the toughest schedule he has ever gone up against as well.

The season starts off with what should be two cakewalk wins against Western Kentucky and South Florida, but things could get real after that with a trip to Wisconsin for a non-conference clash against the Badgers. Ultimately, while it will be a tough environment, Alabama’s talent prevails over Wisconsin and gets the Tide to 3-0.

Following the game against Wisconsin, it’s a bye week before the massive showdown at home with Georgia. In a game where almost everyone is predicting the Bulldogs, the Tide will be victorious in what will become a signature early win for DeBoer in front of a raucous Bryant-Denny crowd.

After Georgia, it looks to be two relatively painless victories over Vanderbilt and South Carolina which would move the Tide to  6-0.  However, that’s when trouble arises. Alabama’s defense may not be up to the task of going up against an electric Tennessee offense in Neyland Stadium.

The Tide will handle Missouri at home the following week in a close one to get to 7-1 heading into the second bye week. After the bye, it’s a trip to Baton Rouge to face the LSU Tigers, a game Alabama lost two years ago. This time, they have the chance to avenge the loss and handle their business to get to 8-1 before a home game against Mercer puts them at 9-1.

The week before the Iron Bowl presents an interesting challenge with the Tide traveling to Oklahoma. With the Sooners fans ecstatic to be hosting a massive SEC showdown, it could be an upset victory in favor of Oklahoma putting Alabama at 9-2 heading into the Iron Bowl.

Auburn, who is expected to have a decent season,  will not be able to pull it off in Bryant-Denny and the Crimson Tide will achieve a double-digit win season in Kalen DeBoer’s first year.

The record gives them a possible chance of playing in the SEC Championship and a great pedigree for being considered for the College Football Playoff.