With all due respect to the 123 other schools that play major-college football, the sport's foreseeable future boils down to one question: Can anyone stop Alabama?

The Alabama Crimson Tide, college football's defending national champion, has become the game's "it" team, an all-powerful and impervious Death Star of a program. Alabama has won two of the last three national titles. Its coach, Nick Saban, won another one while he was at Louisiana State—meaning he has won the title in three of the past seven college seasons he has coached.

The Tide is a 14-point favorite Saturday over No. 8 Michigan—repeat: a two-touchdown favorite against a top-10 team—in its season opener. The last time Alabama was an underdog was 28 games ago, against Tim Tebow and Florida in the 2009 Southeastern Conference championship game. Result: Bama 32, Florida 13.

They're so dominant one wonders if we should just make them an NFL team. :)

People often said that about USC mid 2000s and Miami late 90s.

Fun thought, :) My money is on USC to win the national championship. I like their grit.

USC has a chip on their shoulders about being suspended.

Are they fully off suspension this year?

It would be nice to see a national championship that wasn't all southeastern teams.

Truth. When Michigan lost to Ohio State 38-35 they didn't put Michigan in the national championship. Alabama v. LSU was an interesting match-up.

USC is down to 75 scholarships but are now eligible for bowl games.

Down to 75. That makes me laugh. That's no penalty.

:)