The Alabama Crimson Tide may still be feeling like last season was the year that got away. The squad, who was chasing a third straight national title and fourth in five years, had won its first 11 games of the season before heading into its SEC showdown with rival Auburn. The defending national champ carried a seven-point lead into the final minute of the game and had all but punched its ticket to the SEC championship and an eventual national title matchup against Florida State.

That is until Auburn scored two touchdowns in 32 seconds and left the nation wondering if Nick Saban had finally outsmarted himself. Alabama decided to try a 57-yard field goal with one second in regulation during a 28-28 tie instead of playing it safe and going straight into overtime. The result, as we all know by now, was a 109-yard touchdown return and a National Championship Game appearance for the Tigers.

Alabama's shot at college football history may have been broken by a series of improbable plays. However, the team is still expected to be a major player this season and is one of the favorites to win another title. Let's take a closer look at Alabama's 2015 College Football championship odds with predictions and analysis.

Alabama Odds to Win the 2015 National Championship Storylines

The biggest obstacle Alabama will be facing heading into the 2014 season is the issue of replacing starting quarterback A.J. McCarron, who threw for 3,063 passing yards last season and helped the Crimson Tide average 38.2 points per game. Senior Blake Sims is expected to take over the starting job, and, by all accounts, the quarterback is a dynamic athlete that may only need to game-manage an already-solid group of offensive talent.

T.J. Yeldon, Alabama's third-year running back, is expected to shoulder much of the offensive load this season and is coming off his second-consecutive 1,000-yard rushing year. Backup running back Derrick Henry has build up quite a reputation over the offseason, and many of the Alabama insiders believe the sophomore will have a "fabulous" year.

Alabama's strength, however, will be on the defensive end of the ball. The squad will be returning five starters from last year's excellent group that was ranked in the Top 7 in fewest total yards, rushing yards and points allowed. The Crimson Tide were a Top 5 defensive team last year and should have the talent to fall in that same category once again in 2014.

Alabama 2015 National Championship Odds and lines

Alabama is currently receiving the second best national title futures odds at +650, according to Sportsbook.ag. The team also has a prop on whether or not they will compete in the National Championship Playoff, with the "no" being favored at -150. Last season Alabama struggled against the spread, despite of the team's excellent 11-2 straight up record. The Crimson Tide went 6-6-1 ATS and 7-5-1 against their posted totals for the year, and outside of a stretch were they covered four straight games, struggled to be a consistent betting pick all season.

Alabama Odds to Win the 2015 National Championship Picks & Predictions

Alabama has been on one of the great runs in college football history. Coach Saban is set to begin his eighth season as head coach, and he has already led the team to three national titles in the last five seasons. So there is no reason to doubt that the Crimson Tide will be in the hunt for a championship in 2014-15. However, the team faces a huge challenge of replacing a very capable quarterback in McCarron.

College football dominance can come and go with the flip of a coin. Pete Carroll and USC ruled for a while, then the crown was passed to Urban Meyer and Florida. Now Saban and Alabama have sat on the throne for nearly half a decade. The truth is that their time might be done and the next few seasons may belong to Jimbo Fisher and the Florida State Seminoles. Wagering on the Tide is still a solid bet, but don't be surprised if the team has a disappointing 2014.

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