Alabama’s season-opener is just three days away as the Crimson Tide is set to face Duke on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT inside of Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Crimson Tide is currently a 35-point favorite over the Blue Devils, according to VegasInsider.com. Here are five questions to consider heading into the matchup.
1. How will Alabama cope without its top running backs?
Tuesday night, BamaInsider learned that Alabama will be without its top two running backs in Najee Harris and Brian Robinson Jr., who were both suspended for part of Saturday’s opener. The Crimson Tide was already short-handed at the position after five-star freshman Trey Sanders broke his foot during preseason camp. Now Alabama is expected to start true freshman Keilan Robinson.
Kelian Robinson, a former four-star recruit, was rated as the No. 5 all-purpose back in this year’s class. The 5-foot-9, 184-pounder had surgery on his knee earlier this year but appears to be at full strength during drills at practice. While Alabama’s other backs offer more power, Keilan Robinson's strengths come in his elite speed and ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Following Alabama’s first preseason scrimmage, head coach Nick Saban said the Washington D.C. native “probably gives us something that some of our guys don’t have when it comes to just being quick, fast and elusive.”
Alabama can also turn to redshirt freshman Jerome Ford, who is coming off an ankle injury he sustained during Alabama’s second scrimmage. Like Keilan Robinson, Ford, 5-foot-11, 212 pounds, is a pass-catching threat out of the backfield.
Alabama will also be without starting receiver DeVonta Smith and starting Sam linebacker Terrell Lewis as the two were also suspended for part of the game. While those losses are significant, the Crimson Tide shouldn’t be as affected due to its depth at those positions.
