Five Reasons the Crimson Tide Won’t Win It All This Year
By Joshua Smith
Offensive Line
New faces abound on the offensive line as well in 2016. The Tide will likely have three new starters and one starting at a new position when they face USC in Dallas, including a true freshman. Charles Baldwin was a highly coveted junior college transfer and his commitment to Alabama seemed to clear up any questions at the right tackle spot. Unfortunately, his dismissal a short time later brought all the questions back. Jonah Williams seems to have the spot locked down, but does that speak to his ability or the lack of ability in the others on campus?
Alabama has always relied on a monster offensive line to make their offense work as it should. We’ve all witnessed the growing pains caused by an offensive line that hasn’t gelled. Ross Pierschbacher has moved over to center, but can he fill the big shoes left by Ryan Kelly? It took Kelly a season to get acclimated to the position, so it’s safe to assume there will be some growing pains for Pierschbacher also. In a lesser conference, say the Big 12, that probably wouldn’t matter much; but in the SEC, growing pains can be the difference between a Championship and a 7-5 record.
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