Saban’s arrival in Tuscaloosa sent expectations soaring off the charts, so it’s easy to forget that Alabama is coming off a 6-7 season and managed just two wins in the SEC a year ago. The offense ranked near the bottom of the conference, while the defense must replace six starters.

No matter how good this new coach is, he’s not likely to win a national title his first year.

“That’s unrealistic,” said Brown, who had 44 catches last season. “But Saban, he’s a great coach, man. I’m pretty sure he’s going to recruit some guys and have this offense and defense rolling one of these years. I don’t know when, but it’s possible that somewhere in our future this team will win a national championship.”

Saban is off to a great start in recruiting, having landed 16 commitments for next year’s class. Twelve are from within the state, while nine are considered top-of-the-line prospects. Just as significant: Auburn has landed only eight commitments, none of them on par with the Tide’s top recruits.

Of course, there have also been a few bumps.

Since Saban took over, four players have been arrested in an off-campus bar district known as “The Strip,” including defensive leader Simeon Castille on a disorderly conduct charge last weekend.

But the arrests are just a minor annoyance in a state that is riding the giddy tide of Crimson Karma.

College football Two-man race with Tebow, McFadden

“I’ve never seen students this excited about a football season,” said Reaves, the senior from Montgomery. “Every student wants a ticket, but there’s only so many to go around. ... Even the professors are talking about it in class.

“I wish I was a freshman right now.”