Alabama Football: Will 2017 Tide dominate more top opposing players?

September 1, 2012 – Arlington, TX – Alabama 41 – Michigan 14

Leading up to the opening season game, much of the attention was focused on Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson. Robinson was being touted as a Heisman contender. Alabama football quarterback, A. J. McCarron did not gain near as much attention.

McCarron was a national championship quarterback, but he was just a ‘game manager.’

The game was a mismatch. Alabama led 31-0 in the second quarter.

Michigan could not run the ball against the Tide and gained only 69 yards on the ground. Some of the blame must go to Taylor Lewan. The 6-7 305 pound left tackle was the bell cow for the Wolverines. In 2012 he was an All-American and the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year.

Against Alabama, Lewan was out-manned and out-played, rendered ineffective by the Tide defensive line.

At the end of the game, Taylor Lewan slowly limped off the field. He was too proud to allow fans to see the extent of his pain. Once inside the stadium ground level corridor, he let trainers help him to the Michigan locker room. He was unbowed but physically beaten by the Alabama football defensive front.

Lewan was the 11th player selected in the First Round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He plays for the Tennessee Titans.