Alabama Football: Depth Chart Out, Bateman and Barnett to Play vs USC
By Chris Hale
It’s game week for Alabama football and some big news came out of Coach Nick Saban’s Monday press conference.
ICYMI: Bama Hammer Staff College Football Playoff Prediction
After the long dry spell of no college football, we have finally made it. We will have Alabama football on our televisions this coming weekend.
Alabama football head coach Nick Saban opened up the week with a Monday press conference and dropped the depth chart for this weekend’s game.
More from Bama Hammer
- Alabama Football: Moving past Crimson Tide quarterback rumors
- Alabama Football: How improved is the Ole Miss defense?
- Alabama Football: Power Ranking the SEC after week three
- Alabama’s latest win total projection hints that team is in trouble this season
- Alabama Football: What happened with again QB1 Jalen Milroe
What’s the biggest surprise? The two quarterbacks that will see action on Saturday are Cooper Bateman and Blake Barnett. Some reports that came out this past week said that Jalen Hurts would be the starter when the Tide takes on the Trojans, but I think some may need to double-check their sources.
At the running back position, Saban says that Bo Scarbrough and Damien Harris will get the carries on Saturday. The younger backs are coming on strong so one may expect to see them sooner than later.
In the past few days of practice, there had been some shuffling at the center position. According to Saban, Bradley Bozeman will get the start there and Ross Pierschbacher will be at right guard.
Nick Saban: "We're excited for game week. I know our players are excited, as well, to play a great program like Southern California."
— Charlie Potter (@Charlie_Potter) August 29, 2016
Aren’t we all?
Saban on USC opener: "Opening game successes come more from an internal scoreboard. What are we doing to play winning football?"
— Alex Byington (@_AlexByington) August 29, 2016
Saban always concentrates on this at the beginning of the season. Get the wrinkles ironed out early and be prepared to make a run.
Saban on 2016 team: "There is no identity at all. Whatever's been said, voted on, whatever, means nothing."
— Cecil Hurt (@CecilHurt) August 29, 2016
Cooper Bateman and Blake Barnett are the two QBs who will play against USC, per Saban.
— Alex Scarborough (@AlexS_ESPN) August 29, 2016
Saban on RBs: "The two guys we'll play in this game are Bo Scarbrough and Damien Harris."
— Charlie Potter (@Charlie_Potter) August 29, 2016
Saban: "We're gonna play Bradley (Bozeman) at center and Ross (Pierschbacher) at right guard."
— Charlie Potter (@Charlie_Potter) August 29, 2016
Saban: Jalen Hurts has tremendous ability. We are not giving up on that ability.
— Cecil Hurt (@CecilHurt) August 29, 2016
The door isn’t shut on Hurts for the season but if Bateman or Barnett comes in and takes the bull by the horns, Hurts will probably redshirt.
Saban on @Blake8Barnett: "In Blake's case, he's been here a little longer (than Hurts), so he has a little better knowledge of the offense."
— Alex Byington (@_AlexByington) August 29, 2016
Alabama's Depth Chart pic.twitter.com/uIeL8D6Usx
— Ryan C. Fowler (@RyanCFowler) August 29, 2016
Next: 25 Things All Crimson Tide Fans Must Do
There’s your depth chart for the game. Just a few more days until the season is kicked off. Almost there.