After losing 15 players to the NFL, including five in the draft’s first 35 picks, Alabama faces a 2012 schedule littered with difficult road tests.

The Crimson Tide travels to Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee and LSU, not to mention the season opener against Michigan in Arlington, Tex. For the Tide to survive those road tests and capture a third national title in four years, its young defense must grow up fast.

Must-see matchup: at LSU, Nov. 3

Alabama isn’t likely to hold the Tigers to 92 yards, like it did in the national championship game. But the Tide secondary, led by safety Robert Lester (10 career INTs), should have opportunities against new Tigers quarterback Zach Mettenberger. Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron and LSU defensive back Tyrann Mathieu got into a Twitter dust-up recently, adding to the intrigue.

Upset alert: at Arkansas, Sept. 15

Alabama only leads this series 12-8. Star running back Knile Davis is back for the Razorbacks, who averaged 0.9 yards per carry in last year’s 38-14 humbling in Tuscaloosa. Tyler Wilson, who led the SEC in passing yards, was held to 185 in that blowout. Look for a much more competitive game in Fayetteville. New coach John L. Smith says this is Arkansas’ prove-it moment.

It's a breeze: Sept. 22 through Sept. 29 – vs. Florida Atlantic, vs. Ole Miss

There are no other back-to-back breathers on the schedule. The Owls went 1-11 last season, the Rebels 2-10. Only New Mexico had a worse offense last year than Florida Atlantic, which averaged 12.9 points. Ole Miss wasn’t much better at 16.1 per game. The Rebels have lost 14 straight SEC games.

Brutal stretch: Oct. 13 through Nov. 10 – at Missouri, at Tennessee, vs. Mississippi State, at LSU, vs. Texas A&M

This five-game gauntlet, which follows the off week, will seriously test Alabama’s depth. Then the Tide takes a step down in competition, hosting Western Carolina, before concluding with the Iron Bowl.

Complete schedule:

Sept. 1: vs. Michigan (Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Tex.)

Sept. 8: vs. Western Kentucky

Sept. 15: at Arkansas

Sept. 22: vs. Florida Atlantic

Sept. 29: vs. Ole Miss

Oct 13: at Missouri

Oct. 20: at Tennessee

Oct. 27: vs. Mississippi State

Nov. 3: at LSU

Nov. 10: vs. Texas A&M

Nov. 17: vs. Western Carolina

Nov. 24: vs. Auburn

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from SEC bloggers Daniel Lewis and Larry Hartstein, follow @CBSSportsSEC.