Breaking down the ranked teams in Alabama's schedule
Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans took one quick glance at the Associated Press Top 25 Poll released Monday. His initial thoughts: “looks pretty good to me.”
Of course, that might have a lot to do with the fact the Crimson Tide top the preseason poll for the second straight year and sixth time in school history. Although, the senior linebacker can also take solace in knowing only one of Alabama’s regular season opponents were ranked inside the top 10.
Regardless of who the Tide go up against this season, maintaining the No. 1 ranking throughout the season will be a challenge. The last preseason No. 1 to win a national title was Southern California in 2004. Since then, top-rated preseason favorites have gone a combined 135-25 and have finished in the top five just seven times.
Beginning with its season opener against No. 3 Florida State on Sept. 2, Alabama will face four teams ranked in the preseason top 25. Here is a breakdown of each ranked opponent on Alabama’s schedule:
No. 3 Florida State
When: Sept. 2, 7 p.m. CT
Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Series record: Tied at 2-2-1
Last time they met: Florida State won 21-14 in 2007
What to watch for: Described as the “Greatest Opener of All Time,” this year’s Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game will be the highest ranked season opener in college football history. No stranger to notable season openers, Alabama has started its season against ranked opponents the past two seasons. The Crimson Tide is also accustomed to opening up at a neutral stadium, as it has done so in seven of the 10 years head coach Nick Saban has been in charge.
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This game will be should be a good measuring stick in terms of Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts' improvement as a passer. The reigning SEC Offensive Player of the Year passed for 2,780 yards and 23 touchdowns with nine interceptions last year but struggled with passes downfield. Hurts should be tested by a tough Florida State secondary that features All-American defensive backs in Derwin James and Tavarus McFadden.
Alabama’s biggest advantage comes on defense as the Tide’s reloaded front seven will face off against a Seminoles offensive line which surrendered 36 sacks over 13 games last season. Alabama will be replacing its top four sacks leaders from last season in Jonathan Allen, Tim Williams, Ryan Anderson and Reuben Foster. However, a pass rush featuring Da’Sahawn Hand, Rashaan Evans, Christian Miller and Terrell Hall could be equally imposing.
No. 25 Tennessee
When: Oct. 21, TBA
Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Series record: Alabama leads 54-37-8
Last time they met: Alabama won 49-10 in 2016
What to watch for: Basing off the preseason rankings, if Alabama is able to survive its opener against Florida State it will be another seven weeks until the Tide faces another ranked opponent. While Texas A&M and Arkansas might have something to say about that, there’s no denying Alabama will be allotted some time for younger players to grow into their new roles.
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With that said, the Week 8 matchup against Tennessee could feature a much improved Tide team than the one seen in the opener. That doesn't bode well for the Volunteers.
Tennessee will need to find a replacement at quarterback after losing Joshua Dobbs, who passed for 2,946 yards and 27 touchdowns with 12 interceptions while also leading the team with 831 yards and 12 more scores on the ground. Whether the Volunteers opt to go with the more prototypical passer in Quinten Dormady or the more mobile Jarrett Guarantano, they will be up against an Alabama defense that should be firing on all cylinders.
Last year was supposed to be the year Tennessee broke its long streak of losses to Alabama. The Volunteers had the Tide at home with what was supposed to be perhaps its best team in the past decade. The result was a 49-10 win for Alabama which saw the Tide rush for 409 yards and extending its winning streak to 10 games. Right now, things are pointing toward that streak reaching 11 this season.
No. 13 LSU
When: Nov. 4, TBA
Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Series record: Alabama leads 51-25-5
Last time they met: Alabama won 10-0 in 2016
What to watch for: There are two ways to look at Alabama’s Week 10 matchup against LSU. On one hand, the Tide will be matched up against two of the most talented players it will see all season in running back Derrius Guice and linebacker Arden Key. On the other hand, the Tigers appear to offer the same one-dimensional offense barring a drastically improved season from quarterback Danny Etling.
Last season’s defensive slugfest saw both teams take a scoreless draw into the fourth quarter. A 21-yard touchdown run from Hurts turned out to be all that Alabama would need, as a stifling Tide defense held LSU to 125 yards of total offense in a 10-0 victory in Baton Rogue, La.
Despite being held to 8 yards on two carries, Guice claimed the following week that Alabama’s defense was “scared” of LSU’s rushing attack, stating the Tide stacked the box with 10 people throughout the game. When questioned about the topic this summer during SEC Media Days, the preseason All-American doubled down on his previous statement.
“Yeah, that's what I said," Guice said.
The junior will get a chance to back up his words in what is sure to be a must-see matchup inside of Bryant-Denny with the SEC West most likely in the balance.
No. 12 Auburn
When: Nov. 25, TBA
Where: Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, Ala.
Series record: Alabama leads the series 45-35-1
Last time they met: Alabama won 30-12 in 2016
What to watch for: This might not only be Alabama’s most difficult game of the season but its most important as well. While Alabama is the strong favorite to win the SEC West for a fourth straight season, Auburn is thought to be the Tide’s biggest competition in the divisional race. If a trip to Atlanta is still up for grabs, it could make for one of the most memorable Iron Bowls in recent years.
Of course, a lot of Auburn’s success will depend on the play of JUCO transfer Jarrett Stidham at quarterback. The 6-foot-3, 214-pound redshirt sophomore completed 69 percent of his passes for 1,265 yards and 12 touchdowns with just one interception during his freshman season at Baylor. Although, it’s still yet to be seen whether or not he can translate those numbers from the Big 12 to the SEC.
Auburn has had success with JUCO quarterbacks in the past, as Cam Newton and Nick Marshall both led the Tigers to national championship appearances. Last season Auburn’s offense struggled to find a passing attack as neither Sean White nor Jeremy Johnson was able to establish much consistency. That carried over into the Iron Bowl, as Auburn was held 116 yards and interception on a combined 7 of 19 passes. Could an improved passing attack be enough to swing the pendulum in the Tigers’ favor this year?