WR Christion Jones, So., Alabama: Alabama's blueprint remains identical to that of past years: win with power running and suffocating defense. That's the strategy that carried the Tide to BCS titles in 2009 and '11, and that's the formula that has made them consensus national favorites again in 2012. However, in both of those seasons, the Tide also boasted dynamic special teams threats in Javier Arenas and Marquis Maze. And this year, 'Bama has another speedster to fill that role: 5-foot-11 sophomore Jones.
Though Jones is still emerging as an integral part of the passing attack (he has 11 catches for 163 yards and three touchdowns), he's shown flashes of his immense potential. He currently ranks second on the Tide with 522 all-purpose yards, and he's already amassed 357 combined return yards and a score, the latter coming on a 99-yard runback just seconds after 'Bama faced its only deficit of the season at Ole Miss. His game-breaking ability could rise to the fore when the Tide face tougher SEC competition such as Mississippi State, LSU and Texas A&M in the second half.