Alabama Crimson Tide

From now until kickoff in Arlington, Texas, we'll be counting down the days before Alabama and Michigan get the season started. Today, we move to No. 31 and what it means to UA football. See all the previous editions here.

Befpre the start of the 2011-12 season, Vinnie Sunseri was an unknown. The linebacker at Tuscaloosa's Northridge High wasn't exactly the recruit that came with high expectations. The four-star player had just five college offers (see: recruiting profile), and many wondered whether Alabama was one of them just because his father, Sal, was an assistant coach on staff.

Those people were wrong. Or at least they were proven to be wrong.

Sunseri passed up the opportunity to go to Pittsburgh and play with his brother, and became arguably the most successful true freshman to play at Alabama last season. Despite not starting a game, he finished ninth on the team with 31 total tackles. He had one pass breakup, one quarterback hurry, one fumble recovery and forced one fumble in 13 games. He and left tackle Cyrus Kouandjio were voted to the Freshman All-SEC team.

When his father left to become the defensive coordinator at Tennessee after the season ended, some wondered whether Vinnie would follow suit. He didn't, and now he's in a position to receive even more playing time under coach Nick Saban. Sunseri spent most of the spring playing safety, star and money on defense. He told reporters that he'd like to improve his pass coverage before the start of the season.

From now until kickoff in Arlington, Texas, we'll be counting down the days before Alabama and Michigan get the season started. Today, we move to No. 32 and what it means to UA football. See all the previous editions here.

The Crimson Tide will enter the 2012 season with high expectations, both as a team and individually. Judging by the pre-season watch lists, there are high hopes for several Alabama players. Alabama players were represented on watch lists 32 times.

Here's the complete list:

Maxwell Award
QB AJ McCarron
RB Eddie Lacy

Bednarik Award
LB Nico Johnson
LB C.J. Mosley
S Robert Lester
NG Jesse Williams

Mackey Award
TE Michael Williams

Rimington Award
C Barrett Jones

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Dave Hooker writes: North Carolina tight end Jeb Blazevich put on nearly 40 pounds by eating five meals a day. While some players eat themselves out of a sport, he ate his way into multiple offers, including Alabama.

From now until kickoff in Arlington, Texas, we'll be counting down the days before Alabama and Michigan get the season started. Today, we move to No. 33 and what it means to UA football. See all the previous editions here.

Nothing makes a coach happier than winning the turnover battle and time of possession. Previously on the Countdown, we detailed Alabama's success in limiting mistakes last season. Today we'll take a look at another reason for UA's success last season -- holding onto the football.

The Crimson Tide were stingy with the football, winning the time of possession battle by more than 5 minutes. Alabama held the football for nearly 33 minutes per game last season. To be exact, UA averaged 32 minutes, 48 seconds with the football each game.

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Rothstein writes: Michigan has its eye on the season opener against the University of Alabama. Jordan Kovacs went so far as to admit that he's watched some film on the defending champions during his other classes. "I'm sitting there on my computer and every now and then you just shake your head because they are very, very good," the Wolverines safety said.

From now until kickoff in Arlington, Texas, we'll be counting down the days before Alabama and Michigan get the season started. Today, we move to No. 34 and what it means to UA football. See all the previous editions here.

A lot changed for AJ McCarron the day the University of Alabama faced off against LSU for the national championship in New Orleans. The sophomore quarterback had been what some called a "game manager" up to that point, riding a stellar defense and a Heisman Trophy finalist at running back all the way to the Mercedes Benz Superdome.

But before the game, coach Nick Saban told McCarron that the game would be in his hands. And from the first series on, he proved that, throwing the ball around the field on all downs. Even with the lead, Saban put the ball in McCarron's hands. So much so that he'd attempt a career high 34 passes en route to the BCS trophy.

Prior to Jan. 9, McCarron's high-water mark for attempts was 31 in a win over Penn State. By regular season's end, McCarron averaged 24.5 attempts per game.

McCarron made the most of his 34 attempts against LSU, completing 67.6 percent of his passes for 234 yards.

McCarron's highs and lows
Most completions: 23 against Vanderbilt and LSU (Jan. 9)
Fewest completions: 12 against Florida
Most attempts: 34 against LSU (Jan. 9)
Fewest attempts: 19 against Georgia Southern
Most yards: 284 against Tennesse
Fewest yards: 140 against Florida
Highest completion percentage: 79.2 against Ole Miss
Lowest completion percentage: 48.0 against Florida
Longest pass: 69 yards against Tennessee
Most touchdowns: Four against Vanderbilt
Fewest touchdowns: None against North Texas, Florida, LSU (Nov. 5), Mississippi State and LSU (Jan. 9)
Most interceptions: Two against Kent State
Fewest interceptions: None against Penn State, North Texas, Arkansas, Florida, Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, Georgia Southern, Auburn and LSU (Jan. 9)
Highest quarterback rating: 209.8 against Georgia Southern
Lowest quarterback rating: 95.0 against Florida