Alabama17Tide
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Alabama is now 2-0 on the season and ranked No. 1 in the Nation in both the Amway Coaches Poll as well as the AP Top 25 following their 41-10 victory over Fresno State. In two games, Alabama has outscored the competition an impressive 65-17 and will host Colorado State in week three where they enter as a 23 1/2 point favorite.
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.
Three Things We've Learned
1. The future looks plentiful for Alabama
The Crimson Tide entered their matchup against Fresno State as a 43 1/2 point favorite and after the starters put the game out of reach leading 28-3 in the second quarter, it provided an opportunity for Alabama’s youth to step onto the field to gain experience. True freshman quarterback Tua Tagovailoa saw his first action of the season and was 6 of 9 passing for 64-yards and threw a touchdown to another true freshman in Henry Ruggs for 16-yards. True freshman Najee Harris actually led the team in rushing on the day racking up 13 carries for 70-yards and his rushing style was continually compared to Oakland Raider running back Marshawn Lynch by TV commentators.
Jerry Jeudy recorded his first catch of the year and Jedrick Wills saw plenty of time at right tackle. On defense, Dylan Moses along with Chris Allen who are two of Alabama’s prized freshmen linebackers also saw time on the field, each looked capable of playing when called on moving forward. The freshman class at Alabama is very, very good, and the sample size we saw on Saturday proves that the Crimson Tide’s future on the football field should be just as successful as present day Alabama Football.
2. The offense played better
While Alabama played a lesser opponent in week two, the Crimson Tide coaches and players always stress, “It’s not about who we play, it’s about how we play.” The offense racked up 497-yards of total offense, 305-yards on the ground, and 192-yards through the air, which was an increase of total yards from week one of +228-yards. Last week against Florida State only three receivers caught a football, this past Saturday 11 different receivers made the stat line, and while Alabama has yet to have a 100-yard game from a running back, quarterback Jalen Hurts ran for a career high 154-yards and two touchdowns.
For the second week in a row Alabama did not turn over the football and compared to six punts in week one, Alabama only punted three times against Fresno State. One of the most telling stats about this team has been their consistency to put points on the board when inside the red-zone. In two games, Alabama is 9 for 9 in red-zone opportunities, and if that stat is part of this year’s offensive identity, Alabama is going to be very difficult to beat.
3. The Linebacking corps will be fine
Alabama has been tested early on regarding the quality of depth at the linebacker position. Four key linebackers did not play against Fresno State due to injuries. Tyrell Lewis and Christian Miller who are both out for the season and Rashaan Evans along with Anfernee Jennings are day to day, and as you would expect at Alabama it’s next man up. Keith Holcombe playing at the WILL linebacker position totaled seven tackles which was second on the team, Mack Wilson recorded four tackles and played consistently well throughout the game, Freshman Dylan Moses recorded two tackles and put heat on Fresno State’s quarterback a few times, former walk-on Jamey Mosley saw time at the SAM linebacker position and recorded two tackles and came up big on a few third down plays.
While losing Lewis and Miller for the season are huge blows, Alabama’s new faces at linebacker should be able to gain enough experience over the next few weeks to keep the unit solid.
Two Questions
1. Does Alabama have an Achilles Heel?
Every team has one, what is Alabama’s? While this might be a tough question to ask after just two games, you could point to their lack of success on third downs where Alabama is just 7 of 26 this season (27%). In critical tight games, teams who have a high percentage third down efficiency can milk the clock, sustain drives, and control the tempo of the game. We have not seen this from Alabama over two games, but again, maybe this has something to do with that we are in week two of the season.
Stats do not lie and this will be one area that opposing defensive coaches continue to monitor and if you cannot move the football, the end result is always bad, especially in critical situations when the game is on the line or when the team is trailing.
2. Are fans being too critical of Jalen Hurts?
As a starter at Alabama, sophomore quarterback Jalen Hurts has a career record of 15-1 (.938%). This past weekend Hurts was 14 of 18 passing for 128-yards with one-touchdown, ran for 154-yards with two additional scores, and finished second in the nation passer rating wise at 97.8 behind West Virginia’s Will Grier who had a 98.1. It’s been quite interesting to track the response and reception of the talented dual threat quarterback from fans as it seems as though Jalen isn’t getting the job done. The reason seems to be that fans want him to have more of a vertical passing game and also stay in the pocket.
Alabama’s offense is predicated off a power run game, size of the offensive line, and speed, and so far first-year offensive coordinator Brian Daboll has gone more east and west than attempting big plays north and south. Now while you could question if that is because of Daboll’s lack of faith in Hurts’ ability to connect down the field or you could question if it’s because the offense is still trying finding a rhythm. Or is there even an issue with Hurts and the offense?
As stated, Alabama’s offense has been very successful in the red-zone, Hurts continues to win, and Nick Saban continues to show faith in his quarterback weekly. So why the criticism of Hurts? While the quarterback is always going to be under the microscope, it’s apparent that until Hurts wins a championship, he’s not going to fully win over this fan base, which is unfortunate because the young man is one of the most talented players in college football, and has an amazing character off the field.
One Prediction
1. Colorado State will try and test Alabama’s secondary
Alabama’s defensive secondary better come to play on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. against Colorado State. The Ram’s air it out attack has put up some big numbers early on. In just three games this season, Colorado State Quarterback Nick Stevens is 75 of 126 passing for 980-yards and six touchdowns. Last week against Abilene Christian, Stevens threw for 337-yards, against Colorado in week two he threw for 309-yards, and in week one against Oregon State, he threw for 334-yards. In just two games, Alabama’s defense is allowing just 195-yard passing per game, Stevens is throwing for 326-yards per game.
BamaInsider.com - The 3-2-1, What we learned about Alabama Football following week 2
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.
Three Things We've Learned
1. The future looks plentiful for Alabama
The Crimson Tide entered their matchup against Fresno State as a 43 1/2 point favorite and after the starters put the game out of reach leading 28-3 in the second quarter, it provided an opportunity for Alabama’s youth to step onto the field to gain experience. True freshman quarterback Tua Tagovailoa saw his first action of the season and was 6 of 9 passing for 64-yards and threw a touchdown to another true freshman in Henry Ruggs for 16-yards. True freshman Najee Harris actually led the team in rushing on the day racking up 13 carries for 70-yards and his rushing style was continually compared to Oakland Raider running back Marshawn Lynch by TV commentators.
Jerry Jeudy recorded his first catch of the year and Jedrick Wills saw plenty of time at right tackle. On defense, Dylan Moses along with Chris Allen who are two of Alabama’s prized freshmen linebackers also saw time on the field, each looked capable of playing when called on moving forward. The freshman class at Alabama is very, very good, and the sample size we saw on Saturday proves that the Crimson Tide’s future on the football field should be just as successful as present day Alabama Football.
2. The offense played better
While Alabama played a lesser opponent in week two, the Crimson Tide coaches and players always stress, “It’s not about who we play, it’s about how we play.” The offense racked up 497-yards of total offense, 305-yards on the ground, and 192-yards through the air, which was an increase of total yards from week one of +228-yards. Last week against Florida State only three receivers caught a football, this past Saturday 11 different receivers made the stat line, and while Alabama has yet to have a 100-yard game from a running back, quarterback Jalen Hurts ran for a career high 154-yards and two touchdowns.
For the second week in a row Alabama did not turn over the football and compared to six punts in week one, Alabama only punted three times against Fresno State. One of the most telling stats about this team has been their consistency to put points on the board when inside the red-zone. In two games, Alabama is 9 for 9 in red-zone opportunities, and if that stat is part of this year’s offensive identity, Alabama is going to be very difficult to beat.
3. The Linebacking corps will be fine
Alabama has been tested early on regarding the quality of depth at the linebacker position. Four key linebackers did not play against Fresno State due to injuries. Tyrell Lewis and Christian Miller who are both out for the season and Rashaan Evans along with Anfernee Jennings are day to day, and as you would expect at Alabama it’s next man up. Keith Holcombe playing at the WILL linebacker position totaled seven tackles which was second on the team, Mack Wilson recorded four tackles and played consistently well throughout the game, Freshman Dylan Moses recorded two tackles and put heat on Fresno State’s quarterback a few times, former walk-on Jamey Mosley saw time at the SAM linebacker position and recorded two tackles and came up big on a few third down plays.
While losing Lewis and Miller for the season are huge blows, Alabama’s new faces at linebacker should be able to gain enough experience over the next few weeks to keep the unit solid.
Two Questions
1. Does Alabama have an Achilles Heel?
Every team has one, what is Alabama’s? While this might be a tough question to ask after just two games, you could point to their lack of success on third downs where Alabama is just 7 of 26 this season (27%). In critical tight games, teams who have a high percentage third down efficiency can milk the clock, sustain drives, and control the tempo of the game. We have not seen this from Alabama over two games, but again, maybe this has something to do with that we are in week two of the season.
Stats do not lie and this will be one area that opposing defensive coaches continue to monitor and if you cannot move the football, the end result is always bad, especially in critical situations when the game is on the line or when the team is trailing.
2. Are fans being too critical of Jalen Hurts?
As a starter at Alabama, sophomore quarterback Jalen Hurts has a career record of 15-1 (.938%). This past weekend Hurts was 14 of 18 passing for 128-yards with one-touchdown, ran for 154-yards with two additional scores, and finished second in the nation passer rating wise at 97.8 behind West Virginia’s Will Grier who had a 98.1. It’s been quite interesting to track the response and reception of the talented dual threat quarterback from fans as it seems as though Jalen isn’t getting the job done. The reason seems to be that fans want him to have more of a vertical passing game and also stay in the pocket.
Alabama’s offense is predicated off a power run game, size of the offensive line, and speed, and so far first-year offensive coordinator Brian Daboll has gone more east and west than attempting big plays north and south. Now while you could question if that is because of Daboll’s lack of faith in Hurts’ ability to connect down the field or you could question if it’s because the offense is still trying finding a rhythm. Or is there even an issue with Hurts and the offense?
As stated, Alabama’s offense has been very successful in the red-zone, Hurts continues to win, and Nick Saban continues to show faith in his quarterback weekly. So why the criticism of Hurts? While the quarterback is always going to be under the microscope, it’s apparent that until Hurts wins a championship, he’s not going to fully win over this fan base, which is unfortunate because the young man is one of the most talented players in college football, and has an amazing character off the field.
One Prediction
1. Colorado State will try and test Alabama’s secondary
Alabama’s defensive secondary better come to play on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. against Colorado State. The Ram’s air it out attack has put up some big numbers early on. In just three games this season, Colorado State Quarterback Nick Stevens is 75 of 126 passing for 980-yards and six touchdowns. Last week against Abilene Christian, Stevens threw for 337-yards, against Colorado in week two he threw for 309-yards, and in week one against Oregon State, he threw for 334-yards. In just two games, Alabama’s defense is allowing just 195-yard passing per game, Stevens is throwing for 326-yards per game.
BamaInsider.com - The 3-2-1, What we learned about Alabama Football following week 2
