Okay, we are only 22 days away from kicking off the 2010 college football season. The most important question in this state is how will the Tide and Tigers do this year.

I just happen to know the answer to that question. Just read on.

Alabama

Well, let’s see, the Tide went 14-0 last season in Nick Saban’s third year as head coach, running back Mark Ingram brought the first Heisman trophy to Tuscaloosa, quarterback Greg McElroy has still not lost a game as Alabama’s starter, they won the National Championship, Athletic Director Mal Moore got a raise, and the stadium has been expanded…again.

Is there any room for the Tide to get better this season? Good  question.

Offensively, the Tide has to replace tight end Colin Peek (TE) and linemen Mike Johnson (G) and Drew Davis (T). I’m sure most Tide fans would rather lose those three than say McElroy, Ingram, Marquis Maze (WR) or Julio Jones (WR).

Truth is, Alabama may actually be better on offense than they were last year. Don’t forget about Trent Richardson and Darius Hanks.

With returning linemen James Carpenter, William Vlachos and Barrett Jones anchoring the front, look for the Tide to rack up major yardage once again and give Mr. Ingram a shot at two in a row.

Defensively, it’s another story.

Washington, Cody, Reamer, Fitzgerald, McClains, Jascson, Deaderick, Woodall, Anders and Arenas – gone! As a matter of fact, only two starters return. Will Don’t’a Hightower be back to 100% after last season’s injury? Coach Saban better hope so.

There is one thing you can count on. Expect the pass heavy SEC to take shots down field against Alabama over and over again.  Teams know that they are young and inexperienced in the secondary and will pull out all the stops to take advantage of that situation.

Obviously the biggest loss will be the electrifying Javier Arena and his ability to return kicks. That will be no easy replacement to make.

Alabama sits atop most preseason polls and some experts are betting on them to repeat as National Champs. I’m not saying it is impossible, but a true test comes early when Penn State comes to Tuscaloosa in week No. 2.

Personally I think Alabama will beat Penn State, and Florida and Tennessee. Games that will likely be close will be Arkansas, LSU and Auburn.

I see the Tide going 11-1. The loss? South Carolina.

Auburn

In what is almost a complete contrast to what is going on in Tuscaloosa, the Tigers are fortunate to be returning 15 starters from last years’ 8-5 squad, but will be replacing their starting QB, leading ground gainer and a key defensive lineman.

Up front, the offensive line loses only one starter from last year. The Tigers also brought in some very strong JC players to fill some holes and add some depth.

Big Ben Tate had quite a season last year, rushing for more than 1,300 yards and 10 TD’s. Mario Fannin is expected to have a big senior season. Fannin is a dual threat in that he can run and often makes receptions out of the backfield. He has had issues with holding on to the football in the past, but hopefully as a more experienced player, those issues are gone.

A lot is being expected of former Florida quarterback Cameron Newton. Look for him to hook up often with Darvin Adams, a guy who had almost 1,000 reception yards last season.

Normally, an offense improves in a coaches second season. We’ll see if that holds true for Auburn.

Thing were ugly last year for Auburn when the other team had the ball. Almost everybody scored more than 21 points on the Tigers. Add to that, the fact that the Tigers’ leading tackler, Antonio Coleman, is gone.

The linebackers and secondary look pretty strong.

As for the schedule, it’s never easy in the SEC, but fortunately for Auburn, they host South Carolina, Arkansas and Georgia. Unfortunately they travel to Ole Miss and Alabama.

A first year record of 8-5 including a 38-35 overtime win over Northwestern in the Outback Bowl left most Tiger fans feeling pretty good about their team going into year two of the Gene Chizik era, and they should likely improve.

Barring any injuries to key players and with the ball bouncing their way a time or two, I see the 2010 Tigers finishing 9-3.

Hit ‘em straight!

Dale Jones is a writer for The Islander and a member of the Alabama Sports Writers Association.

Reach him at djones@gulfcoastnewspapers.com.