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Who ya got? Alabama's toughest October opponent in 2018
Okay, so maybe "toughest" isn't the proper superlative to use when describing Alabama's October slate for the upcoming football season. Given that the Crimson Tide has compiled a combined record of 24-0 in games against Arkansas, Missouri and Tennessee under head coach Nick Saban, perhaps "not easiest" would be a better way of putting it.
Taking the sense of dread for the three opposing fanbases to an even higher level is the fact that UA didn't just win those games. Making matters worse is the fact that in most instances they weren't all that competitive.
In two dozen contests (11 each against Arkansas and Tennessee, two against Mizzou) since 2007, Alabama has outscored the trio by a combined total of 902-308. Taking the liberty of rounding numbers to their nearest who digit, that comes out to an average score of 38-13 per contest.
With that, excuse some UA fans if they forget the days immediately preceding Saban, back when Tennessee had taken 10 of 12 games from the Crimson Tide and former Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt, who, in posting a 5-5 mark against once-mighty Alabama as Boss Hog, looked like the second coming of Frank Broyles.
As for Missouri, the Tigers actually held a 2-1 series edge on UA at one point. That was prior to Mizzou joining the SEC, of course. And then Alabama dropped 42-10 and 42-13 thumpings on Gary Pinkel teams in the 2012 regular season and 2014 SEC Championship Game, respectively, leaving the Tigers to feel as if they had been properly introduced to life in a league ruled by Saban.
On the strength of dominating series with Arkansas (October opponent since 2013) and Tennessee for more than a decade, Alabama's record in the month under Saban currently sits at 38-2. Even Saban's worst UA team (2007) went unbeaten in October. The lone losses in the month over the last 11 seasons: South Carolina in 2010 and Ole Miss in 2014, with both coming on the road. Not exactly the kind of numbers three teams that went a combined 5-19 in conference play a year ago want to read.
So, what will the first full month of fall offer up to the Crimson Tide?
It will get underway with a road trip to Arkansas, which, fresh from bailing on Bret Bielema after five seasons, is breaking in a new head coach --- Chad Morris -- in 2018. For pretty much all of Saban's time at UA, the annual date with the Razorbacks presented an opportunity for the Crimson Tide's base defense to get involved.
With Morris more of a power spread guy, Alabama's oft-used nickel package will take on even more of a presence this fall. Offensively, Morris, whose team will face (at) Auburn and Texas A&M in its two games leading up to UA's visit, has a quarterback situation to sort out and an overall talent deficit where the Crimson Tide is concerned that isn't likely to narrow anytime soon.
The following weekend will serve as homecoming on the Capstone, with Missouri coming to Tuscaloosa to take part in the festivities. To the surprise of some, double-digit Tigers are showing up on preseason All-SEC teams. Mizzou's group of returnees includes projected first-round pick Drew Lock at quarterback and his entire offensive line. On the other side of the ball, expect the same type of saltiness in the front seven that has long been associated with Missouri defenses. Coming off a trip to Eastern Division foe South Carolina, the Tigers' visit to Bryant-Denny Stadium will mark their second road game in as many weeks.
Wrapping up the month will be the third Saturday in October, which will represent former UA player and assistant coach Jeremy Pruitt's first crack at his alma mater as UT head coach. Like Kirby Smart before him, Pruitt, whose team will visit Auburn one week before hosting the Crimson Tide, has an in-depth understanding of what he'll be up against when Alabama rolls into Knoxville on Oct. 20. Unfortunately for Pruitt, from a talent standpoint, he won't inherit quite the same situation Smart did at Georgia two years ago.
So, there you go, three games, including two on the road, in which Alabama might very well be more than a 20-point favorite. And before you ask, smart guy/gal, the bye week isn't an option.
Who ya got?
Continue reading...
Okay, so maybe "toughest" isn't the proper superlative to use when describing Alabama's October slate for the upcoming football season. Given that the Crimson Tide has compiled a combined record of 24-0 in games against Arkansas, Missouri and Tennessee under head coach Nick Saban, perhaps "not easiest" would be a better way of putting it.
Taking the sense of dread for the three opposing fanbases to an even higher level is the fact that UA didn't just win those games. Making matters worse is the fact that in most instances they weren't all that competitive.
In two dozen contests (11 each against Arkansas and Tennessee, two against Mizzou) since 2007, Alabama has outscored the trio by a combined total of 902-308. Taking the liberty of rounding numbers to their nearest who digit, that comes out to an average score of 38-13 per contest.
With that, excuse some UA fans if they forget the days immediately preceding Saban, back when Tennessee had taken 10 of 12 games from the Crimson Tide and former Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt, who, in posting a 5-5 mark against once-mighty Alabama as Boss Hog, looked like the second coming of Frank Broyles.
As for Missouri, the Tigers actually held a 2-1 series edge on UA at one point. That was prior to Mizzou joining the SEC, of course. And then Alabama dropped 42-10 and 42-13 thumpings on Gary Pinkel teams in the 2012 regular season and 2014 SEC Championship Game, respectively, leaving the Tigers to feel as if they had been properly introduced to life in a league ruled by Saban.
On the strength of dominating series with Arkansas (October opponent since 2013) and Tennessee for more than a decade, Alabama's record in the month under Saban currently sits at 38-2. Even Saban's worst UA team (2007) went unbeaten in October. The lone losses in the month over the last 11 seasons: South Carolina in 2010 and Ole Miss in 2014, with both coming on the road. Not exactly the kind of numbers three teams that went a combined 5-19 in conference play a year ago want to read.
So, what will the first full month of fall offer up to the Crimson Tide?
It will get underway with a road trip to Arkansas, which, fresh from bailing on Bret Bielema after five seasons, is breaking in a new head coach --- Chad Morris -- in 2018. For pretty much all of Saban's time at UA, the annual date with the Razorbacks presented an opportunity for the Crimson Tide's base defense to get involved.
With Morris more of a power spread guy, Alabama's oft-used nickel package will take on even more of a presence this fall. Offensively, Morris, whose team will face (at) Auburn and Texas A&M in its two games leading up to UA's visit, has a quarterback situation to sort out and an overall talent deficit where the Crimson Tide is concerned that isn't likely to narrow anytime soon.
The following weekend will serve as homecoming on the Capstone, with Missouri coming to Tuscaloosa to take part in the festivities. To the surprise of some, double-digit Tigers are showing up on preseason All-SEC teams. Mizzou's group of returnees includes projected first-round pick Drew Lock at quarterback and his entire offensive line. On the other side of the ball, expect the same type of saltiness in the front seven that has long been associated with Missouri defenses. Coming off a trip to Eastern Division foe South Carolina, the Tigers' visit to Bryant-Denny Stadium will mark their second road game in as many weeks.
Wrapping up the month will be the third Saturday in October, which will represent former UA player and assistant coach Jeremy Pruitt's first crack at his alma mater as UT head coach. Like Kirby Smart before him, Pruitt, whose team will visit Auburn one week before hosting the Crimson Tide, has an in-depth understanding of what he'll be up against when Alabama rolls into Knoxville on Oct. 20. Unfortunately for Pruitt, from a talent standpoint, he won't inherit quite the same situation Smart did at Georgia two years ago.
So, there you go, three games, including two on the road, in which Alabama might very well be more than a 20-point favorite. And before you ask, smart guy/gal, the bye week isn't an option.
Who ya got?
Continue reading...
