Kent State @ Alabama preview

THE STORY: No. 2 Alabama tunes up for another SEC and national title run against Kent State, a school that has not been to a bowl game since 1972.

The Tide owned the No. 3-ranked scoring defense in the country last season and return nine defensive starters, including plenty of NFL talent for coach Nick Saban. Alabama's offense will miss departed quarterback Greg McElroy, Alabama can lean on running back and Heisman Trophy candidate Trent Richardson, while sophomore A.J. McCarron and freshman Phillip Sims share time under center.

The Golden Flashes welcome a brand-new coaching staff led by former Ohio State receivers coach Darrell Hazell.

TV: 12:20 E.T. ESPN Game Plan, ESPN3.com LINE: Alabama -36.5

ABOUT ALABAMA (2010: 10-3, 5-3 SEC): Only a handful of schools would be disappointed with a National Championship followed by a season finished with a No. 11 ranking and a Capital One Bowl victory. But Alabama is one of those programs, and the Crimson Tide has their sights set on bring home a sixth straight BCS title to the SEC.

ABOUT KENT STATE (5-7, 4-4 MAC): Hazell and new offensive coordinator Brian Rock have installed a new spread offense they hope will improve on Kent State’s No. 99-ranked scoring offense from 2010. Reigning MAC defensive player of the year Roosevelt Nix recorded 10 sacks last season and highlights the defense.

EXTRA POINTS
1. While playing in a division with five preseason Top-20 teams will be difficult, Alabama actually lucked out a bit on the schedule. The Crimson Tide are one of only two SEC teams that will not have to play back-to-back road games this season and they get No. 4 LSU and No. 15 Arkansas at home.

2. Alabama has not lost a September game since falling at Florida State on Sept. 29, 2007.

3. Saban played defensive back at Kent State from 1970-71.

PREDICTION: Alabama 60, Kent State 14 -- Alabama will win in a rout as long as it is not looking ahead to next week, when it has to travel to Penn State.