Five Reasons the Crimson Tide Won’t Win It All This Year
By Joshua Smith
Running Backs
“What?!” I hear you scream at your computer. But don’t go order that military-grade tree killer just yet. Hear me out first. For the first time since Nick Saban has been at Alabama, both of his primary running backs have left in the same year. Glen Coffey gave way to Mark Ingram, Mark to Trent Richardson, Trent to Eddie Lacy, Eddie to TJ Yeldon, TJ to Derrick Henry, and Derrick to… Bo Scarborough and Damien Harris?
Damien Harris was fourth on the team last season with 46 carries, 3 fewer (if you take out sacks) than Jake Coker. Bo, who was limited by injury, had only 18 carries. To put this into perspective; Eddie Lacy had the fewest carries as a first-time starter under Saban at Alabama with 151. Both Harris and Scarborough are exciting prospects, but Scarborough has been injury-prone and Harris didn’t really take advantage of his opportunities last year. After those two, Alabama would be relying on Ronnie Clark (a converted DB), Derrick Gore (a former walk-on) and a couple of freshmen, BJ Emmons and Joshua Jacobs.
There’s no doubt the talent level is high, but for the first time in eight years, Alabama doesn’t have a proven commodity at running back.
Next: New hog mollies?