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Alabama Football: 2017 Tide opponents and trench warfare

By Ronald Evans

Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Bradley Bozeman (75) at the line of scrimmage during the third quarter in the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Bradley Bozeman (75) at the line of scrimmage during the third quarter in the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Alabama football opponent, Arkansas
Dec 29, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks offensive lineman Dan Skipper (70) lines up during the first half against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. Virginia Tech defeated Arkansas 35-24. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Tennessee

The Vols have a veteran offensive line in 2017 that should be a strength of the team. Tennessee will likely start three seniors, one junior and a redshirt sophomore. Guard Jashon Robertson should have a NFL career and could be an All-SEC player. Tackle Brett Kendrick missed spring but should be healthy by fall.

Tennesse was not a great offensive line in 2016, but Vols fans have good reason to expect a much stronger performance in 2017.

Auburn

Auburn returns talent and experience on its offensive line. Braden Smith and Austin Golson are two of the best in the SEC. Auburn will start three or four seniors. Braden Smith is expected to move to tackle which may push senior Darius James out as a starter. Sophomore Marquel Harrell is expected to replace the departed Alex Kozan.

Auburn should have one of the top three offensive line units in the SEC in 2017.

LSU

Two important points on the LSU O-line: the Tigers were the best unit in the nation in 2016; the 2017 unit was terrible in their spring game. Two of LSU’s best three offensive lineman did not compete in the spring game due to injury, Will Clapp and Toby Weathersby.

Clapp is moving to center this fall. In the starting five, he will be joined by Weathersby and Maea Teuhema. The other two starting slots are up for grabs.

LSU has the talent to be good but it will take time. Without a talented quarterback to rely on, LSU must have a great season by Derrius Guice. Guice is very good, but the LSU line may not be good enough to create space for him to run.

FSU

Not dissimilar, FSU has offensive line concerns. FSU must replace two starters and also get back two injured players. Starting center Alec Eberle missed spring recovering from hip surgery. Starting guard Landon Dickerson missed spring rehabbing an ACL injury from November. Dickerson claims he will be practicing by August but there is no guarantee he can return for the opener against the Tide.

Brock Ruble should be solid for the Seminoles at right tackle. There are just too many other concerns for Noles fans to rest easy about facing the Tide defensive front in September.

Alabama

Alabama football is also making a transition in its offensive line. Fortunately for the Tide, talent and depth can be relied upon. Jonah Williams and Brad Bozeman will be two of the SEC’s best, maybe two of the nation’s best. Lester Cotton and Ross Piersbacher are solid linemen who can complement Williams and Bozeman. The Tide just needs one more solid starter to possibly become one the top offensive lines in the nation.

Alabama football will likely have the best offensive line group. The Vols, Tigers, Tigers and Noles will be measured by how well they do in the trenches against a very solid Alabama football defensive front seven.

Next: Five Greatest Threats to 2017 Championship

RTR Forever!

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