Biggest threats to Alabama Football this year: Texas A&M, LSU, and Auburn?
Who will be Alabama’s toughest game this season other than Florida State?
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In a recent poll, we asked the premium subscribers of BamaInsider.com, what will be the toughest game this season for Alabama other than Florida State. The three teams we selected in the poll were Texas A&M, LSU, and Auburn. $ View Poll Here (Scroll down for results)
1.7% Believe Texas A&M Will Beat Alabama On October 7th
Alabama will take on Texas A&M on October 7 at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas. Alabama has already opened as a -12 1/2 point favorite by the Gold Nugget and have beat the Aggies in in four consecutive seasons.
Last year, Alabama defeated Texas A&M 33-14 at Bryant-Denny racking up 451-yards of total offense and led by Quarterback Jalen Hurts who threw for 164-yards and also rushed for 93-yards throwing a touchdown pass to O.J. Howard and to Calvin Ridley.
| Key Notes | Offensive Watch | Defensive Watch |
|---|---|---|
|
Head Coach - Kevin Sumlin (6th Year) |
Trayveon Williams - RB - Ran for 1,057-yards and 8 TDs |
Otaro Alaka - OLB - 74 tackles during 2016 |
|
6-2 at home last season |
Christian Kirk - WR - 83-receptions for 928-yards and 9 TDs |
Jarrett Johnson - DE - 4.5 sacks in 2016 |
|
Last beat Alabama in 2012 |
QB will either be Jake Hubenak (SR) or Nick Starkel (FR) |
Amari Watts - FS - 2 Interceptions in 2016 |
32.2% Believe It Will Be LSU On November 4th
Everyone for Alabama and for LSU likely has the date of November 4, 2017, already circled on their calendar. The two SEC rivals have played in three straight nail-biters. In 2014, Alabama gutted out a 20-13 overtime victory over the Tigers, in 2015, Alabama won 30-16, and last season the Crimson Tide won 10-0 in a defensive battle. Alabama’s defense forced two turnovers and held LSU to just 125-yards of total offense. Alabama opens as a -12 point favorite over LSU.
| Key Notes | Offensive Watch | Defensive Watch |
|---|---|---|
|
Head Coach - Ed Orgeron - 2nd Season |
Danny Etling - QB - Threw for 2,123-yards and 11 TDs in 2016 |
Arden Key - LB - 56 tackles last season and 12 sacks |
|
Return 5 offensive starters and 4 defensive starters from 2016 |
Derrius Guice - RB - Ran for 1,37-yards and 15 TDs in 2016 |
Donnie Alexander - LB - 45 tackles and 1 Int in 2016 |
|
Last beat Alabama in 2011 |
K.J. Malone - OT - Son of NBA Hall of Famer Karl Malone |
In 2016 LSU's defense allowed just 15.8 ppg which was 5th in the Nation |
66.1% Believe It Will Be Auburn On November 25th
The Iron Bowl which takes place on Thanksgiving Weekend is a rivalry game in which you can simply throw out the records. While Alabama has won three in a row against Auburn, many college football experts feel that Auburn should be vastly improved from the 2016 season with Baylor quarterback transfer Jarrett Stidham under center. Last season Alabama Quarterback Jalen Hurts threw for 27 of 36 for 286-yards with two touchdowns. Alabama is a -6 1/2 point favorite in early odds by the Golden Nugget.
| Key Notes | Offensive Watch | Defensive Watch |
|---|---|---|
|
Head Coach - Gus Malzahn - 4th season |
Jarrett Stidham - QB - Transfer from Baylor - 12 TDs in 2015 |
Tray Matthews - S - 76 tackles in 2016 |
|
Return 14 total starters into the 2017 season |
Kamryn Pettway - RB - Ran for 1,224-yards and 7 TDs in 2016 |
Marlon Davidson - DE - Started as a true fresh in 2016 |
|
Last beat Alabama in 2013 |
In 2016, Auburn had a per game rushing average of 271.3 which was first in the SEC and sixth in the Nation |
Auburn allowed just 17.1 ppg last season which was seventh in the Nation. |
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Vote: Poll: Toughest Game For Alabama This Season Other Than FSU?
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