Closer Look: How Alabama matches up with Texas A&M

Most college football programs faced with replacing a starting quarterback, a starting running back, three leading receivers, three offensive linemen, its leader in sacks and a safety selected in the second round of the NFL Draft would be expected to struggle the next season.

The Alabama Crimson Tide might struggle, too. Of course, “struggling” in Tuscaloosa equates to only 10 wins, which is the Tide’s lowest victory total in the past seven seasons.

Everyone knows that Alabama isn’t like most college football programs. Coach Nick Saban consistently brings in top-rated recruiting classes and consistently replaces star players with more star players.