Why the key to Alabama's success lies within its front seven

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It's easy to spot the key to Alabama's success under head coach Nick Saban. Escaping it is a different story.

Call them “hateful,” “savages,” “dogs,” whatever you like. When it comes to Alabama's defensive front seven, the Crimson Tide seems to play with an extra chip on its shoulder. Maybe that’s because Alabama has been angrier or meaner than it’s opposition. But make no mistake, the Tide’s been way better, too.

Alabama led the nation in sacks the past two years with 54 last season and 52 in 2015. That resulted in two national championship appearances and a 16th national title. Getting to the quarterback has become somewhat of a normality at Alabama, but its significance can’t be understated.

There has been a direct correlation to the Tide’s ability to get to the quarterback and its success on the field. To put things in perspective, before leading the nation the past two seasons Alabama finished tied No. 40 in the nation with 31 sacks in 2014 and tied for No. 80 with 22 sacks in 2013. In both those years, the Tide failed to reach the national championship game.

Alabama won back-to-back national championships in 2011 and 2012, and to no surprise, the sack totals were up again in those years. In fact, all four of Saban’s national champion teams finished in the top 30 in sacks. The only one to finish inside the top 30 in sacks and not win a national title was last season's team. Ironically, the Tide came one sack away from preventing a game-winning touchdown pass from Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson at the goal line.

History states that if Alabama wants to return to the national championship for a third straight year it will need to get to the quarterback at a similar rate. Of course, returning to that level will be easier said than done.

Alabama loses five key members from last season's front seven in Jonathan Allen, Dalvin Tomlinson, Reuben Foster, Ryan Anderson and Tim Williams. The quintet accounted for 36.5 sacks last year, 68 percent of the Tide's season total.

Consider this: Alabama entered last season with concern over whether or not it could cope with the loss of A'Shawn Robinson and Reggie Ragland to the NFL. That was despite returning its top four sacks leaders. This year, the Tide comes back without any of its top four sacks leaders.

So how does Alabama make up for the depletion?

Fortunately for the Tide, it will be able to restock with a myriad of five-star talent. Replacing Allen and Tomlinson up front will be Da'Shawn Hand and JUCO transfer Isaiah Buggs. Meanwhile, some combination of Rashaan Evans, Christian Miller, Anfernee Jennings and Terrell Hall will serve as the newcomers at linebacker.

Hand was the No. 1 overall player in the 2014 class and is thought to be a potential first-round pick in next year's NFL Draft. Though he won't make his first collegiate start until Alabama's season opener against Florida State on Sept. 2, he is no stranger to action during his Tide career. Last season the 6-foot-3, 282-pound defensive lineman played in all 15 games, tallying 21 tackles, 3.5 for a loss and two sacks.

Buggs has generated plenty of buzz this spring from sources close to Alabama's program, coming to the Tide as the No. 1 JUCO prospect in the 2017 class. The 6-foot-5, 292-pound defensive end recorded three tackles and a quarterback hurry during the A-Day scrimmage where he started for the first-team defense.

The linebacking unit appears to be more set, as Evans replaced injured Shaun Dion Hamilton as a starter in the final two games last season. Despite entering the program as a five-star in 2014, those were Evans' first two college starts. The 6-foot-3, 234-pound linebacker didn't disappoint either, tallying 18 tackles in that span, including a career-high 11 against Clemson in the national championship game. Evans leads all Alabama returners in sacks, finishing with four last year.

Former four-stars Miller and Jennings got the start at Sam and Jack linebacker respectively this spring. Miller capped off his spring with four tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble during A-Day. Jennings recorded a sack to go with three tackles in the scrimmage. Hall, a former five-star, also figures to break into the rotation as a pass-rusher. During A-Day, the 6-foot-5, 251-pound linebacker broke into the backfield and intercepted a pass from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa before returning it 60 yards for a touchdown.

With all the new faces stepping up, Alabama will also be able to rely on a couple of experienced veterans to steady the ship. Junior defensive tackle Da'Ron Payne will anchor the defensive line at nose guard, while senior linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton will be fully recovered from his torn ACL by the start of the season.

Payne, one of the most unheralded members of Alabama's defense, shouldn't put up huge numbers given his position. However, the 6-foot-2, 308-pound defensive tackle should draw plenty of double teams and clog up running lanes for opposing running backs.

Despite missing the final two games last season, Hamilton finished fifth on the team with 64 tackles while also recording nine for a loss with two sacks and two interceptions. The senior's leadership should also come into play, as he will be in charge of keeping an inexperienced unit in check on the field.

Alabama has plenty of talent to fill the open holes in its front seven. Where the Tide might struggle is finding the same depth it has had in recent years. While Alabama has several highly-rated players poised to serve in backup roles, its experience in reserves will be far less than what it has been in recent years.

Nevertheless, expect the Tide to finish in the top 30 in sacks again this season. Whether or not that translates to another national title remains to be seen.

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