Staff Predictions for Alabama's 2014 Season + Playoff Picks

Coming into the final game of the regular season in 2013, Alabama seemed to be the favorites, once again, to make an appearance in the National Championship game. However, things took a strange turn of events. A devestating loss to Auburn in the final seconds lead to an unmotivated loss to Oklahoma. On the bright side, with every loss there is new life, that being the 2014 season. The BCS system has been shutdown and replaced by a 4 team playoff system.

Many of you may wonder, what kind of impact will the new playoff system have on Alabama? Well, lets take a look at some of our experts and their thoughts on the playoff system and how the Tide will fair this season.

Ryan Fowler (Host of 'The Game')

Alabama has a chance to be one of the elite teams in CFB in 2014, if Saban can use his magic to get this team to play as one unit rather than a group of 22 individual players. Alabama has been dominant on the field and in recruiting during the last 5 years. Chris Walsh pointed out on The Game with Ryan Fowler a couple of weeks ago that Alabama has 64 players on the roster who are 4 stars or better (close to 80%). Talent gives Alabama a chance to be in the final 4, even with mediocre play from the QB position. If you like old-fashioned smash-mouth Alabama football, you will fall in love with this team quick.

My Prediction for CFB Playoffs: Alabama vs Stanford, Baylor vs FSU

Chris Stewart (Host of 'The Christ Stewart Show')

Whenever I'm asked to give a prediction on the outcome of a season, I remind people of three things:

1. In order to be in the discussion for a championship (of any type) early in the season, you've got to be really good.

2. In order to be in the mix late in the year, you've got to be great.

3. But to win a championship, you've got to be lucky.

Alabama easily falls into the category of a very god team. With it's depth, and returning talent at most spots, there are few that project any better. Clearly, the Tide is good.

Will they be great? And along the way, will they also be lucky?

For that answer, we'll have to wait.

I believe, when all is said and done, the Tide will be making two appearances in Atlanta this season.

Look for Alabama to win the SEC crown, and earn one of four spots in the inaugural CFB Playoff - joining FSU, Oregon, and Oklahoma.

Ryan McMunn (Producer of 'The Chris Stewart Show' and 'The Game')

I think Alabama will finish with a 10-2 regular season record, and they will not quite make the inaugural College Football Playoff. The Tide have a relatively favorable schedule, but the lack of experience at the quarterback position and the lack of depth on the offensive line will ultimately come back to haunt them in the long run. Teams like LSU and Mississippi State who play a physical brand will be difficult games for Alabama, and I think that they won't be able to handle those teams like last year when Bama had a veteran quarterback.

The four teams that will make the playoffs are Oregon, Michigan State, Florida State, and Oklahoma. I think the SEC will devour itself this year with so many good teams at the top of the conference, and let's face it, when the opportunity presents itself, they will do whatever is possible to leave out the SEC.

Ben George (Digital Managing Editor)

I can see Alabama finishing anywhere between 9-3 and 12-0 in the regular season with the latter being more likely than the former. In reality, the record will likely fall somewhere in between. With the uncertainty at quarterback as the season starts, Alabama will likely drop a game at some point in the year and finish 11-1. As for the playoff, I see Florida State, Alabama, Baylor, and UCLA.