bamatommy
Member
Biggest questions for playoff contenders
2 Ifs
Alabama (6-0)
SP+ ranking: 2
FPI ranking: 1
FPI national title odds: 32.2%
If ... the run defense comes around.
A run of fall camp injuries meant Alabama headed into 2019 with maybe the youngest front seven Nick Saban had ever fielded. This has had predictable effects. The Crimson Tide rank 26th in rushing success rate allowed (percentage of plays gaining 50% of necessary yardage on first down, 70% on second and 100% on third or fourth), 40th in opportunity rate allowed (percentage of carries gaining at least 4 yards) and 107th in stuff rate (run stops at or behind the line).
Things could be trending in the right direction -- Texas A&M running backs certainly didn't find much room last weekend -- but it must trend in the right direction for the Tide to avoid a stumble.
If ... third-and-medium becomes their friend.
Youth could also be contributing to some missteps on what you might call third-and-manageable. While the Tide defense ranks first in third-and-long (7 yards to go or more) success rate, it is an awful 102nd on third-and-medium (2 to 6 yards to go). Meanwhile, the offense ranks only 58th itself. That's not normal for Bama and must improve.
2 Ifs
SP+ ranking: 2
FPI ranking: 1
FPI national title odds: 32.2%
If ... the run defense comes around.
A run of fall camp injuries meant Alabama headed into 2019 with maybe the youngest front seven Nick Saban had ever fielded. This has had predictable effects. The Crimson Tide rank 26th in rushing success rate allowed (percentage of plays gaining 50% of necessary yardage on first down, 70% on second and 100% on third or fourth), 40th in opportunity rate allowed (percentage of carries gaining at least 4 yards) and 107th in stuff rate (run stops at or behind the line).
Things could be trending in the right direction -- Texas A&M running backs certainly didn't find much room last weekend -- but it must trend in the right direction for the Tide to avoid a stumble.
If ... third-and-medium becomes their friend.
Youth could also be contributing to some missteps on what you might call third-and-manageable. While the Tide defense ranks first in third-and-long (7 yards to go or more) success rate, it is an awful 102nd on third-and-medium (2 to 6 yards to go). Meanwhile, the offense ranks only 58th itself. That's not normal for Bama and must improve.
