Alabama football’s 2023 season is almost here. The Crimson Tide finds itself in an interesting place, having not won a national title in the past two seasons and missed the playoff and SEC title game altogether last season.

After relying on Bryce Young to guide the offense in games last season, it’s going to be a new look Alabama squad. Before Alabama opens the season against Middle Tennessee State on Sept. 2, here’s what to know about the offense.

Backfield

The quarterback issue remains unsettled, and if Nick Saban has his way, the competition will continue into the season. There’s not much to say that hasn’t already been said as far as that battle goes, but the candidates at the moment are Jalen Milroe, Ty Simpson and Tyler Buchner.

Saban has said that the position outlook is “Taking shape to some degree,” but it seems unlikely the public will know the starter for the Middle Tennessee State game until he runs onto the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Even then though, whoever gets the start against the Blue Raiders isn’t guaranteed the job for the entire 2023 campaign.

At running back, it would seem the Tide have an abundance of riches. Saban said he wants to run the ball better this season, even with Jahmyr Gibbs off to the NFL, and he feels he has multiple backs capable of doing it.

Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams are both returning, along with Jam Miller, who Saban has praised throughout camp. The group also includes some talented freshman, including Justice Haynes, another player who Saban gave high marks to in camp.

“We’ve got four or five guys that can play there,” Saban said. “The key to the drill is keeping them healthy so that they can continue to develop and progress and complement each other.”

Receivers and tight ends

If Alabama fans have a major concern besides who is going to play quarterback, its whether the Crimson Tide’s wide receivers can hang onto the ball. Last season was filled with too many drops and if UA is going to be successful offensively in 2023, that will have to stop.

Saban said the group has been better on that front in camp.

“I think we’ve had less drops, but obviously the goal is you never want to have any drops,” Saban said. “We’re going to continue to work on that. But I think they’ve made improvement. I think we’ve made improvement in the passing game. I think we’re more consistent in what we’re doing and I think we’re more confident. I think that’s helpful for the quarterbacks as well as the confidence of the receivers.”

The group from last season is mostly intact, with returners including Jermaine Burton, Ja’Corey Brooks, Kobe Prentice, Isaiah Bond and Kendrick Law. One newcomer who could make a difference is Malik Benson, a junior college transfer whose speed could help the cause.

At tight end, the Crimson Tide needed a replacement for Cameron Latu, who is on to the NFL. At the front of the line will likely be Maryland transfer CJ Dippre, who had 30 catches for 314 yards and three touchdowns for the Terps last season.

Another who could see significant playing time there is Amari Niblack, who came to Alabama as a receiving tight end with limited blocking experience, but has improved in that area according to Saban.

“He’s kind of a mismatch player a little bit in the passing game, which is a good thing,’” Saban said of Niblack.

Offensive line

Alabama has two of the SEC’s best offensive linemen at their positions in JC Latham at right guard and Seth McLaughlin at center. The major questions for the group come on the left side.

At that guard position, Tyler Booker looks to have switched sides as he tries to make a bigger impact in his sophomore year. At tackle, the battle appears to be between Elijah Pritchett and true freshman Kadyn Proctor.

“Basically, we moved some guys around to try and get a balance of experience a little bit more,” Saban said of the group. “Book played left guard last year. He was playing right guard, but we moved him back to left guard. I think that’s helped the left tackles who are less experienced, somebody that’s got more experience, more confidence, can make calls, can help them with their communication. That doesn’t mean it’s the way it’s going to be, but that’s one thing that has helped, to some degree, on that side of the line.”

Right guard looks to be Darrian Dalcourt, who opted to use his extra year of eligibility to stick around Tuscaloosa. It will be a bit of a change for Dalcourt, who was previously a center, but moves to guard following his injury-shortened 2022.

Dalcourt said during camp that the transition has been tricky at times, but he’s feeling more and more comfortable at the new position.

“Playing off the ball is a little different for me,” Dalcourt said. “When you’re a center, you’re on level zero. Not a lot of separation between you and the defender. I think the biggest difference playing off the ball is I have a little bit more time before engaging with the defender.”

Outlook

It’s a hard year to predict much of anything for Alabama’s offense. The Crimson Tide haven’t named a starting quarterback and have a new offensive coordinator in Tommy Rees.

It was obvious that Saban didn’t think the Tide ran the ball well enough last season. Look for that to change, especially with a more experienced offensive line getting a push.

Beyond that, Alabama needs someone to step up to replace Young, and for its receivers to catch the ball. If those things can happen, 2023 can be another excellent season for the Crimson Tide.