TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama's national championship ambitions didn't depart with quarterback Greg McElroy and those four first-round draft picks.
All-America safety Mark Barron says the Crimson Tide's goal for the season is to go undefeated and win a second national championship in three years. He says every time they step on the field part of their motivation "is to be special."
Alabama is still choosing between quarterbacks AJ McCarron and Phillip Sims, still seeking a left tackle and trying to identifying the playmakers at receiver.
But the Tide also has tailback Trent Richardson and a defense that placed five players on the preseason All-Southeastern Conference first team.
Alabama faces road trips to Penn State, Florida, Mississippi State and Auburn.