Defending National Champion, Alabam Crimson Tide, lead by Coach Nick Saban host the Big Ten's Nittany Lions and Coach JoePa, Joe Paterno on Saturday, September 11th. Despite significant losses on defense and special teams, there are few reasons to believe Alabama won't be just as good in 2010. Three consecutive lights-out recruiting classes by Nick Saban and company have stocked the cupboards with the kind of depth and talent unseen in Tuscaloosa since the Bear Bryant days. The schedule, however, looms tougher in 2010. A repeat run toward SEC and BCS titles is certainly possible, though not a given. The Lions will have to get their act together in a hurry, because the nonconference schedule includes a Sept. 11 trip to Alabama. If they can hang with the defending national champs, they'll have a chance to build momentum. If not, they'll have to show some resilience heading into the Big Ten slate. This much is certain: Their outlook will be clearer on Sept. 12 than it is now.