The 3-2-1, What we learned about Alabama Football following week 1
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Alabama grade out: How the Crimson Tide looked against Florida State
Alabama enters week two of the college football season 1-0 and while rankings will be updated next week, everyone in the Country knows who the No. 1 team in the Nation is right now: Alabama. The Crimson Tide’s display of superior defense which led to a 17 point victory over No. 3 Florida State drew in 7.3 million viewers on ABC Saturday night and on Sunday, Alabama opened as a 43 1/2 point favorite over Fresno State.
Today, we open the week with a three, two, one series, which we’ll provide three things we learned, ask two questions, and make one prediction.
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Three Things We Learned
1. Alabama’s defense is going to Alabama defense
Last season Alabama’s defense allowed an average of 262.0 yards per game, 13.0 points per game, 198-passing per game, and 68-yards rushing per game. Losing six defensive starters that all went to the NFL, some had questioned if Alabama’s defense would be able to hold the defensive rope of excellence.
On Saturday night, Alabama’s defense picked up where they left off from last season, allowing just 250-yards of total offense, allowed just a touchdown, 210-yards passing, and 40-yards of rushing.
Compared to the rest of the college football top five in the Country, Alabama’s defense made a statement against another top five program. No. 2 Ohio State beat Indiana 49-21, No. 4 USC beat Western Michigan 49-31, and No. 5 Clemson beat Kent State 56-3.
2. We haven’t seen Alabama’s potency on offense yet
Many have discussed on the message boards on BamaInsider.com that Alabama’s offense was too conservative on Saturday and maybe that was the case, but the offense did not have any turnovers, put both a rushing and passing touchdown on the board, and quarterback Jalen Hurts did account for 151-yards of total offense with one 53-yard touchdown pass. While Alabama’s offense was only 3 of 16 on third down efficiency, punted six times on the night, allowed two sacks, and struggled to move the football at times, we have to keep in mind that this was week one, the competition was a top five opponent in Florida State, and one stat that seems to be forgotten about is the fact that Alabama’s offense was 4 of 4 inside the red-zone.
Alabama knows they have to improve, here is what Nick Saban said following the game regarding the offense, “So the whole deal on offense, we have to do a better job of executing, especially when it comes to the passing game. They're a pretty good front. We could complain about running the ball better, but we probably ran it good enough if we could have had the kind of balance that we wanted in the game and been able to protect so that we could make some plays and make some throws down the field. But I thought Jalen did a good job in the game.”
3. Special teams was a key reason Alabama beat Florida State
There were so many questions regarding the special teams play going into this matchup against Florida State. We learned a lot about the special teams play and the special teams were a vital part in the opening season win for Alabama. Minkah Fitzpatrick blocked a Florid a State field goal right before half which took away three points from the Seminoles, then Damien Harris blocked a punt, which set up a field goal by Alabama, then linebacker Dylan Moses caused a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, which gave Alabama then capitalized off of with an 11-yard touchdown run by Damien Harris.
Kicker Andy Pappanastos was 3 of 5 from field goal range and was 1 of 1 kicking extra points and finished with a team high of 10 points. Punter JK Scott punted six times for 211-yards with an average of 35.2 and a longest of 53-yards.
Two Questions
1. How will early season injuries affect Alabama
On Sunday, we learned that both outside linebackers Christian Miller and Terrell Lewis suffered season ending injuries during the opener. Big losses for the two players that have worked extremely hard to get to this point in their career and it will be interesting to see what Alabama does on the depth chart moving forward.
Our best guess right now, would be that Alabama slides inside linebacker Rashaan Evans to start at SAM or JACK, taking over for Evans at WILL is likely Keith Holcombe and Dylan Moses or Mack Wilson, and at JACK you’ll likely see more of Jamey Mosley and true freshman Christoper Allen, remember it was also reported by Saban that Anfernee Jennings suffered a sprained ankle during the game and that Evans has a strained groin.
Our staff is also tracking the return of running back Josh Jacobs who did not play in week one after counting to deal with a pulled ham string.
2. What to take away from the passing game
On Saturday night quarterback Jalen Hurts finished with a passing rating of 118.7, his average rating last season was 139.1. The sophomore looked poised throughout the night and finished 10 of 18 passing for 96-yards and one touchdown.
“I thought Jalen did a good job. He did what we asked him to do. I think a lot of the things that could have been really good plays for Jalen didn't turn out so well because we didn't protect very well. Now, he will tell you that sometimes he's responsible for that because he can redirect the protection, but there were other times where he made mental errors up front and didn't block them, and we had people open but couldn't get them the ball,” said Saban.
Calvin Ridley was the only receiver to catch a pass on Saturday and finished with seven receptions for 82-yards and a touchdown, no tight ends were targeted, and Hurts was sacked twice on the night. It’s hard to give an assessment on the passing game because you have to wonder how much of Alabama’s game plan included staying away at all costs from Florida State’s dangerous secondary, especially Safety Derwin James. Hurts did not throw any interceptions and that 53-yard touchdown pass was a thing of beauty.
One Prediction
1. Alabama’s offense will headline on Sunday
The defense was clearly outstanding on Saturday against Florida State, but against Fresno State, you have to think the offense comes out guns blazing and hits the over 500-yard mark of total offense. There will be too much team speed on the field Saturday in Tuscaloosa for the Bulldogs, but be careful taking the Crimson Tide by over 43 1/2 points. Over the last 10 games when Alabama has been favored by more than 35 points, they have covered that spread just two times.
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