It seems as if the range of outcomes for Alabama football is wider in 2023 than in years past.

This version of Alabama may harken back to an earlier version of the dynasty with a ground-and-pound offense and Kevin Steele back as defensive coordinator. The Crimson Tide has significant returners on both sides of the ball with a gigantic question mark at quarterback. Still, in Tuscaloosa, success is defined by championships, not wins or bowl game appearances.

Ahead of the Sept. 2 opener against Middle Tennessee, here are seven predictions about the upcoming Alabama football season.

3 different QBs start a game

Veteran Jalen Milroe is the favorite to start Saturday’s game under-center. But there’s been no official word that the competition has ended and it seems as if MTSU is another chance for coaches to evaluate the contenders. Freshman Dylan Lonergan is reportedly pushing up the depth chart, potentially putting him, sophomore Ty Simpson and transfer Tyler Buchner to make late appearances versus the Blue Raiders.

Should one of them have a decent performance and Milroe falter, a change could be made moving forward, kicking off a rotating door. As head coach Nick Saban said to end his first press conference of the spring on March 20, he likes the players around the quarterback. UA will try whatever it can to get that spot right, too.

Texas upsets Alabama in Week 2

It took Bryce Young’s heroics, Will Reichard’s healthy right leg and Quinn Ewers’ unhealthy right shoulder to let UA escape Austin with the victory a year ago. I’m anticipating a motivated group of Longhorns led by Steve Sarkisian to try and get some payback on the Tide. It’ll be a high-scoring thriller in the newly-created All-State Classic — as opposed to the 20-19 slog last fall — and Alabama will make one too many mistakes which will cost it the game.

Yet, since this is the last time for the foreseeable future this won’t be a conference matchup, the loss won’t derail the Tide’s path to capturing the SEC West if it can right itself a week later at USF then back home versus Ole Miss.

Dallas Turner breaks personal sack record, Kool-Aid McKinstry does the same with INTs

The two stars of Alabama’s defense will play like it. Turner doesn’t need to “replace” Will Anderson Jr., but the projected NFL Draft first-round pick needs to be a constant headache for opposing offenses. His career-high is 8.5 sacks, which he set in 2021.

For McKinstry, he’s only nabbed one interception each of his first two years. It’s not like people aren’t throwing at him. He finished with 16 pass deflections as a sophomore. To help out UA’s developing offense, Turner and McKinstry need to force some big plays.

Alabama won’t produce a 1,000-yard receiver again

Last year was the end of a four-season run of at least one Alabama wideout passing the 1K mark. (Calvin Ridley finished with 967 yards in 2017). In fact, no receiver really got close in 2022 — Jermaine Burton finished with 677 and Ja’Corey Brooks had 674. With the room mostly the same and uncertainty at quarterback, it’d be unrealistic to expect a jump in production. The receivers can show growth with fewer drops and more big plays.

Jase McClellan leads the Tide in rushing

The senior from Aledo, Texas, spelled Jahmyr Gibbs intermittently last fall, finishing tied with seven rushing touchdowns. While the whole running back group has gotten the spotlight this preseason, someone will be a starter and someone will be the go-to back. I’m guessing it’ll be McClellan, who’s averaged 6.2 yards per carry in his career. Other contenders include Roydell Williams, Justice Haynes and Milroe.

Alabama gets revenge twice in Bryant-Denny Stadium

Like Texas avenged a 2022 defeat in Tuscaloosa, the Crimson Tide will do the same when LSU and Tennessee come to town. The penalties, lack of execution and defensive miscommunication cost the Tide in Baton Rouge and Knoxville, respectively. But with a roaring crowd in two likely primetime matchups, Alabama’s defense should lock down two dynamic offenses and book a trip to Atlanta.

Alabama reclaims SEC crown from Georiga, makes College Football Playoff

A rematch nearly two years in the making will happen on Dec. 2 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Get ready for discourse about the true kings of college football and recaps of classic battles. In my prediction, Alabama’s one prior loss will put it on the College Football Playoff bubble. But Saban beating Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs will get Alabama another shot at a national title.

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].