Every team has that stretch in its schedule that can either make or break a season. Today, we’ll kick off an analysis of the key stretches in all 12 SEC teams’ schedules.

ALABAMA

Key stretch: at Arkansas (Sept. 25), Florida (Oct. 2), at South Carolina (Oct. 9)

Analysis: Facing a passing attack as potent as Arkansas’ with the likes of Ryan Mallett, Greg Childs, D.J. Williams and Co. is a tall order for such a young secondary so early in the season. Plus, it will be on the road. Win or lose, the Crimson Tide have to come back the next week and face Florida, the second most talented team in the league and a team that has been yearning for a second shot at Alabama after last season’s SEC championship game loss. The final leg is a trip to face South Carolina in Columbia, S.C., and Williams-Brice Stadium is never an easy place to play, especially with what should be Steve Spurrier’s most talented team yet at South Carolina.

Prediction: In short, if Alabama’s going to lose in 2010, it’s probably going to be somewhere in this stretch. If the Tide make it through all three games unscathed, we could be looking at a third straight undefeated regular season for Nick Saban’s club. Odds are that Alabama will stumble somewhere next season. It’s unheard of in this league to make it through three straight regular seasons without a loss. A lot can change between now and then, but that trip to Arkansas looms as Alabama’s most ominous test in 2010.