14 Till 14: Alabama’s Three-Headed Monster

Most of the attention this off season has gone to the quarterback position, and rightfully so. But Alabama’s running game will be the deciding factor in another championship run.

Before we look into reasons why, just check out the group we have entering this year. T.J. Yeldon is 1,223 yards away from the school rushing record. Kenyan Drake is entering his third season and the explosive running back should do very well in Lane Kiffin’s offense. Derrick Henry, of course, is most known for his curb stomping of the Oklahoma defense. By the time he’s done at Alabama, that Sugar Bowl performance could just be a foot note.

Earlier this off season, Kiffin said he would take this trio over any in the NFL. Now I’m sure Kiffin was just being a good coach and praising his players a bit but, he’s not that far off. With Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson and Eddie Lacy already in the league, the NFL better make room for the next great trio.

Here’s why Alabama’s run game is key to success.

Helping Out The Quarterback

Whether it’s Jacob Coker or Blake Sims, there won’t be any mistake over what their roles will be. I’m using the dreaded “game manager” term, but it’s pretty spot on for this year’s team. The run game will have to bail out the QB play more than once this year.

Keeping those chains moving and setting up easier third down conversions is a quarterback’s best friend when depending on the running backs. Of course, running to set up the pass is also very efficient. Alabama has been known in the past to pound the ball three, four, even five times in a row and then catch the defense sleeping with a deep pass over the top or a play action roll out. When you have as many weapons on offense as the Tide do, you can pretty much do whatever you want if the run game is doing well.

Taking Pressure Off The Defense

This isn’t your, well, I guess it can be your father’s defense or even your own defense from three years ago. Anyway, this isn’t the usual terrifying Alabama defense that fans have been accustomed to over the past few years.

Alabama has a rich tradition of shut down defenses, but this year’s edition is going to need a little help. When a game is on the edge of becoming a shoot out, Alabama needs to slow it down. Eat up clock, tire out the defense, give our own defense some rest, and play Alabama football instead of another school’s style (looking at you Auburn).

With question marks at cornerback and an injury at safety away from going full out red alert mode, there is a solid chance a couple offenses will move the ball against the defense. Running the ball up the middle with Henry and finding space for Drake on the outside will help keep the opponent’s offense off the field.

If It Ain’t Broke

How about just flat out run the ball anyway? No reason is really needed. Alabama has major talent at the position and it’s a definite strength for the offense. Sure, it’s not the most exciting thing to watch (it actually is to me, but who knows if there’s an Oregon or Baylor fan reading this), but if Alabama is picking up 4-6 yards a play, then who cares how it gets done?

There probably won’t be a Heisman winner this season out of the backfield, because unfortunately you can only play with one ball. But the Heisman level talent is definitely here. It wouldn’t surprise me to see three 1,000 yard rushers this season either. Am I saying it’s going to happen? No. Drake will fall a little short but Yeldon should become the new school rushing leader and Henry should put up a nice chunk himself.

Because Worst Case Scenario

Whether the QB play has been horrible all season or Alabama makes the playoffs only to see a poor QB performance against a stifling defense, the run game will need to come up clutch. When your season is on the line, it doesn’t matter how you win, just win. If that means giving Henry 30+ carries, do it. Worry about his work load next week if we win, not when he’s the only offense that seems to be efficient.

Whether it’s a shoot out or a defensive match up, the QB can’t be relied on too heavily this season. Greg McElroy was probably the smartest QB Alabama has ever had. AJ McCarron had a nice mix of NFL talent and smarts to lead Alabama to two championships. Sims and Coker are still relatively unknown, until Alabama knows what they can bring to the table, then the offense will have to continue to adapt on a weekly basis.

Alabama has won before with QBs that aren’t exactly putting up Drew Brees numbers, but that’s not needed to win in Tuscaloosa. Kiffin should do a good job forming the offense around the QB’s capabilities.