Team preview: Alabama

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(All information as of July 1, 2006)

When Mike Shula became Alabama's head coach in May 2003, he inherited chaos in the form of NCAA probation, penalties and scholarship reductions, a squad hit hard by the defection of Dennis Franchione and the firing of Mike Price and the unfortunate timing of taking over after spring practice.

Those factors played significant roles in a 4-7 finish in 2003 and a 6-6 record in 2004. Since then, Shula and his staff have brought a sense of stability to the program, pouring a foundation with strong recruiting and staff stability. Those qualities were apparent when the Crimson Tide finished the 2005 season with a 10-2 record, a Cotton Bowl win and a No. 10 national ranking.

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