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The 3-2-1 - Alabama still out in front with unblemished record of 6-0
Kyle Henderson | Managing Editor
COLLEGE STATION, TX - OCTOBER 07: Alabama Crimson Tide running back Damien Harris (34) runs the ball during the college football game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Texas A&M Aggies on October 7th, 2017 at Kyle Field in College Station, TX. (Photo by Daniel Dunn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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 following Alabama's 27-19 win over Texas A&M
Three Things We've Learned
1. Alabama was tested by Texas A&M
Going into this game, VegasInsider.com had Alabama as a 25 point favorite. While Alabama had dominated Vanderbilt and Ole Miss coming in, the spread seemed way too high against Texas A&M, a team that was 4-1 playing in front of 100,000 strong. The Crimson Tide who are now 6-0 on the season and ranked No. 1 in both the AP Top 25 as well as in the Coaches Poll actually led Texas A&M 24-3, but the Aggies never seemed to be out of the game, especially after quarterback Kellen Mond threw a two-yard touchdown pass to Christian Kirk to make it 24-10 going into the 4th quarter.
With momentum on their side, the Aggies then blocked an Alabama punt, then drove down the field in the final minute of the game for another touchdown to make it 27-19 an even kicked an onside kick with 17 seconds left in the game. Alabama was absolutely tested on the road and while the game was never out of the control of Alabama, other programs around the Nation look at this eight-point victory and now see Alabama as beatable.
2. Damien Harris is a bad man
Alabama has likely the best roster of running backs in the Nation. Literally, they can go five-deep on backs and pound the rock with elite level backs all game long, but the play of Damien Harris as of late has been exceptional. Through the first six games at Alabama, Harris has rushed for 59 carries for 500-yards with seven touchdowns. His average is 8.5 per touch and against Texas A&M he reeled his a 75-yard touchdown run that was the play of the game early in the first quarter.
Harris had 119-yard at half against Texas A&M, but only finished with 124-yards, and it was interesting that Alabama stopped going to Harris in the second half, it looked as though he could of hit the 200-yard mark as he was playing that well. While Bo Scarbrough, Josh Jacobs, Najee Harris, and Brian Robinson are each capable of moving the football for Alabama, so far Harris has looked like the best back on Alabama’s roster which says a tremendous amount about his play.
3. Defense is the backbone
We’ve seen both the offense and the defense dominate in six games so far, but overall it’s clear that this team is still built on defense, especially in marquee games. While Texas A&M recorded over 300-yards of offense against Alabama, the Crimson Tide defense allowed just 71-yards rushing, held the Aggies to 3 of 14 on third down conversions, recorded three sacks, and forced three turnovers on the night. The offense didn’t play their best game, that was clear, but the defense has not had a game where they’ve dropped off this season and you know what they say about defense… Jeremy Pruitt likely gets calls from outside of Alabama for head coaching positions frequently, because he can flat out coach.
Two Questions
1. Is Alabama’s weak spot their passing game?
This question is being asked by many right now after Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts was 13 of 22 passing for 123-yards against Texas A&M. There is no question that Hurts missed on a few throws during the game on Saturday, but with that said he also is progressing as a quarterback and you can see him reading the field much more than earlier in the season. On the year, Hurts is 70-111 passing for 870-yards with 7 touchdowns and 0 interceptions for a quarterback efficiency rating of 149.7, most college football programs would take Hurts in an instant.
What is concerning about the passing game is the fact that Calvin Ridley has 20 receptions on the year and the next leading receiver is Bo Scarbrough who has 10 receptions, that is a major drop off. Ridley suffered what Saban called a thigh bruise on Saturday and if he misses a game or two, who is going to step up? Robert Foster had a very tough night, but is still capable of making big plays, Jerry Jeudy has looked excellent, Cam Sims also looks capable, and even DeVonta Smith along with Henry Ruggs look the part. So obviously there is talent on the receiver depth chart, the guys mentioned just need to get the football.
2. Is the media really providing rat poison to the players?
Following the game against Texas A&M, Nick Saban said that the media was feeding his players Rat Poison. That his players were basically reading too much into the hype of their own team. While Saban has a right to say whatever he wants, being No. 1 year in and year comes with a heavy burden non-stop.
You’re the super bowl for every team you play against, your team sets the standard of college football, the team is filled with five-stars, and also, the team is the flagship for ESPN and ESPN is allowed to do whatever they want at Alabama. With all due respect, the players are watching ESPN nightly, not reading BamaInsider.com, the Decatur Daily, the Aniston Star, etc.
One Prediction
1. Alabama stomps Arkansas
Feel that Alabama is really fired up after their one-touchdown win over Texas A&M and they take it out on the Razorbacks for homecoming. VegasInsider.com seems to think the same, listing the Crimson Tide as a 29.5 favorite already. Now while that spread against Texas A&M was far-fetched, eat this current spread against the Hogs with a spoon.
BamaInsider.com - The 3-2-1 - Alabama still out in front with unblemished record of 6-0
Kyle Henderson | Managing Editor
COLLEGE STATION, TX - OCTOBER 07: Alabama Crimson Tide running back Damien Harris (34) runs the ball during the college football game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Texas A&M Aggies on October 7th, 2017 at Kyle Field in College Station, TX. (Photo by Daniel Dunn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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 following Alabama's 27-19 win over Texas A&M
Three Things We've Learned
1. Alabama was tested by Texas A&M
Going into this game, VegasInsider.com had Alabama as a 25 point favorite. While Alabama had dominated Vanderbilt and Ole Miss coming in, the spread seemed way too high against Texas A&M, a team that was 4-1 playing in front of 100,000 strong. The Crimson Tide who are now 6-0 on the season and ranked No. 1 in both the AP Top 25 as well as in the Coaches Poll actually led Texas A&M 24-3, but the Aggies never seemed to be out of the game, especially after quarterback Kellen Mond threw a two-yard touchdown pass to Christian Kirk to make it 24-10 going into the 4th quarter.
With momentum on their side, the Aggies then blocked an Alabama punt, then drove down the field in the final minute of the game for another touchdown to make it 27-19 an even kicked an onside kick with 17 seconds left in the game. Alabama was absolutely tested on the road and while the game was never out of the control of Alabama, other programs around the Nation look at this eight-point victory and now see Alabama as beatable.
2. Damien Harris is a bad man
Alabama has likely the best roster of running backs in the Nation. Literally, they can go five-deep on backs and pound the rock with elite level backs all game long, but the play of Damien Harris as of late has been exceptional. Through the first six games at Alabama, Harris has rushed for 59 carries for 500-yards with seven touchdowns. His average is 8.5 per touch and against Texas A&M he reeled his a 75-yard touchdown run that was the play of the game early in the first quarter.
Harris had 119-yard at half against Texas A&M, but only finished with 124-yards, and it was interesting that Alabama stopped going to Harris in the second half, it looked as though he could of hit the 200-yard mark as he was playing that well. While Bo Scarbrough, Josh Jacobs, Najee Harris, and Brian Robinson are each capable of moving the football for Alabama, so far Harris has looked like the best back on Alabama’s roster which says a tremendous amount about his play.
3. Defense is the backbone
We’ve seen both the offense and the defense dominate in six games so far, but overall it’s clear that this team is still built on defense, especially in marquee games. While Texas A&M recorded over 300-yards of offense against Alabama, the Crimson Tide defense allowed just 71-yards rushing, held the Aggies to 3 of 14 on third down conversions, recorded three sacks, and forced three turnovers on the night. The offense didn’t play their best game, that was clear, but the defense has not had a game where they’ve dropped off this season and you know what they say about defense… Jeremy Pruitt likely gets calls from outside of Alabama for head coaching positions frequently, because he can flat out coach.
Two Questions
1. Is Alabama’s weak spot their passing game?
This question is being asked by many right now after Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts was 13 of 22 passing for 123-yards against Texas A&M. There is no question that Hurts missed on a few throws during the game on Saturday, but with that said he also is progressing as a quarterback and you can see him reading the field much more than earlier in the season. On the year, Hurts is 70-111 passing for 870-yards with 7 touchdowns and 0 interceptions for a quarterback efficiency rating of 149.7, most college football programs would take Hurts in an instant.
What is concerning about the passing game is the fact that Calvin Ridley has 20 receptions on the year and the next leading receiver is Bo Scarbrough who has 10 receptions, that is a major drop off. Ridley suffered what Saban called a thigh bruise on Saturday and if he misses a game or two, who is going to step up? Robert Foster had a very tough night, but is still capable of making big plays, Jerry Jeudy has looked excellent, Cam Sims also looks capable, and even DeVonta Smith along with Henry Ruggs look the part. So obviously there is talent on the receiver depth chart, the guys mentioned just need to get the football.
2. Is the media really providing rat poison to the players?
Following the game against Texas A&M, Nick Saban said that the media was feeding his players Rat Poison. That his players were basically reading too much into the hype of their own team. While Saban has a right to say whatever he wants, being No. 1 year in and year comes with a heavy burden non-stop.
You’re the super bowl for every team you play against, your team sets the standard of college football, the team is filled with five-stars, and also, the team is the flagship for ESPN and ESPN is allowed to do whatever they want at Alabama. With all due respect, the players are watching ESPN nightly, not reading BamaInsider.com, the Decatur Daily, the Aniston Star, etc.
One Prediction
1. Alabama stomps Arkansas
Feel that Alabama is really fired up after their one-touchdown win over Texas A&M and they take it out on the Razorbacks for homecoming. VegasInsider.com seems to think the same, listing the Crimson Tide as a 29.5 favorite already. Now while that spread against Texas A&M was far-fetched, eat this current spread against the Hogs with a spoon.
BamaInsider.com - The 3-2-1 - Alabama still out in front with unblemished record of 6-0
