OPINION

By Matt Hayes

updated 4:28 p.m. ET Jan. 29, 2009

Matt Hayes

This is the way it goes in our talk now/think later world. The moment arrives and departs and doesn't always treat everyone fairly.

Case in point: Alabama. The Tide were the nation's No. 1 team for five weeks while coach Nick Saban turned around the storied program in all of two seasons. Then Alabama played the two hottest teams in the country, and now all we see is a team with significant offseason issues to address.

And Bama is not alone. This offseason will be critical for five schools at the following positions:

Alabama offensive line
Losses from 2008: LT Andre Smith, C Antoine Caldwell, G Marlon Davis

How 2009 will play out: The line was the foundation of the Tide's run-first, grind-it-out mentality, and it loses not only two All-Americans (Smith and Caldwell), but also the core of the team's leadership — which, of course, translates to chemistry.

Drew Davis likely will switch from right to left tackle, giving the Tide strength on the left side with returning guard Mike Johnson. After that, all three positions are open.

If freshman D.J. Fluker or junior-college transfer James Carpenter can pick up the offense and win the left tackle spot, that allows Davis to stay on the right side. Fluker (6-7, 350 pounds) reminds many of Smith, who started as a freshman and was one of the top three linemen in the SEC by the end of the season.

The overriding issue is mentality. Last year's group had a nasty, gutty attitude. This year's group — which will likely include untested underclassmen David Ross and John Michael Boswell — is the great unknown.

Penn State wide receivers
Losses from 2008: Derrick Williams, Deon Butler, Jordan Norwood

How 2009 will play out: Look at the depth chart: No one scares you. There's hope that underclassmen Chaz Powell or Derek Moye can develop into legitimate threats, but the Lions likely will need at least two incoming freshmen to make an impact for rising senior QB Daryll Clark.

To that end, Penn State has loaded up on receivers in this recruiting class and could sign as many as seven. If Powell and Moye don't develop, the staff will likely move incoming freshman Derrick Thomas from cornerback to wideout and let him compete for a spot among the top four receivers.

The Lions also are in the running for Justin Brown, a four-star wideout who will choose between Penn State and Rutgers on national signing day. Still, this group has plenty of work ahead — or the top target in the Spread HD offense could be former quarterback (and possession receiver) Brett Brackett.

Georgia Tech defensive line
Losses from 2008: DT Vance Walker, DT Darryl Richard, DE Michael Johnson

How 2009 will play out: While Tech's new flexbone offense stole the hype, the defense — specifically, the front four — kept the Jackets in games the first half of the season with some terrific individual performances.

Derrick Morgan showed signs of becoming a disruptive end, but he must be more consistent. Jason Peters likely will begin spring drills at the other end, and he looked like a factor on speed rushes in limited action. The two interior spots will start with underclassmen Logan Walls and Ben Anderson — who combined for two tackles in '08.

J.C. Lanier, the jewel of coach Paul Johnson's second recruiting class, is a classic run stuffer who should play immediately.

USC linebackers
Losses from 2008: Rey Maualuga, Brian Cushing, Kaluka Maiava

How 2009 will play out: This position always has been the heart of the defense: Lofa Tatupu, Keith Rivers, Matt Grootegoed — the list from this decade alone goes on and on. Former mega-recruits Chris Galippo and Michael Morgan likely will line up with the first unit in spring drills, but the dynamics could change dramatically in fall camp — depending on USC's recruiting.

If the Trojans land Manti Te'o, the nation's No. 1 linebacker recruit, the starting three coming out of fall camp could include Te'o and five-star recruit Vontaze Burfict, who some believe is better than Te'o.

Pittsburgh offensive backfield
Losses from 2008: TB LeSean McCoy, TB LaRod Stephens-Howling

How 2009 will play out: McCoy and Stephens-Howling gave Pitt a distinctive personality the last two seasons. Now, Chris Burns, the best back in Pennsylvania two years ago, steps in. He had a terrific fall camp last year but was redshirted because of depth at the position.

The more pressing issue is the uneven play of quarterbacks Bill Stull and Pat Bostick. The staff was intrigued by the Wildcat formation with McCoy, and although it goes against the philosophy of coach Dave Wannstedt and offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh, the next step could be incorporating more principles of the zone-read option.

That means redshirt freshman Tino Sunseri, a dual-threat quarterback whose father was an All-America linebacker at Pitt, could become more of a factor in spring practice and fall camp. Moreover, Pitt's only quarterback recruit this winter is Kolby Gray, a dual-threat type from Houston.

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