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Alabama Football: The five greatest threats to a 2017 championship season

By Ronald Evans

Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Bo Scarbrough (9) runs the ball for a long touchdown during the fourth quarter in the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Washington 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Bo Scarbrough (9) runs the ball for a long touchdown during the fourth quarter in the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Washington 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Alabama football kicker Adam Griffith
Nov 26, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide place kicker Adam Griffith (99) kicks a field goal against the Auburn Tigers during the first quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /

Lack of consistency kicking field goals

Adam Griffith’s Alabama football career was marred by a lingering back injury. He will forever be honored for the exquisite onside kick executed against Clemson in the 2015 national championship game.

He will also be remembered for inconsistency, particularly on field goal attempts outside of 40 yards. Last season Griffith was only No. 54 in the FBS for field-goal percentage and made only three of his seven long-range attempts.

Alabama football fans are hoping for better in 2017. The Tide attracted two elite kickers in the last two recruiting cycles. Both committed to the Tide, and later flipped to other schools.

After the last flip during the 2017 class recruitment, the Tide gained a flip of Joseph Bulovas who originally committed to Georgia Tech. Bulovas has a powerful leg. Check it out in our Joseph Bulovas profile.

Bulovas was given a blueshirt that required him to delay his enrollment so his scholarship will count against the 2018 class. He watched A-Day as a spectator. The field-goal kicking in the spring game was poor. Ole Miss transfer Andy Pappanastos missed his two attempts, both from inside 40 yards.

Punter J.K. Scott made 3 of 4, A-Day field goals, including the game-winner, but one of his made kicks was nearly missed. If Bulovas’ accuracy does not match his strong leg, Scott will be expected to punt and place-kick.

Consistent long-range field-goal kicking is not a given for 2017. The Tide could lose a tight game or two if it does not have an accurate long-range kicker.

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