Alabama Football: The six keys to the Tide beating FSU
By Ronald Evans
What are the keys to Alabama football taking down FSU? Let’s take a close look at six components that could determine the outcome.
Alabama football games usually come down to which team controls the line of scrimmage and which team makes the fewer mistakes. Usually, but not always. In the last decade of college football, low scoring, defensive contests have almost disappeared.
On September 2 in the extravagant largess of Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, a low-scoring game is not expected. Even with two of the most talented defenses in college football, points will be scored. That does not mean points will be plentiful. In a relatively lower scoring contest, a handful of plays may decide the outcome.
A few months ago, Nick Saban complimented FSU saying they are built like a SEC team. Even with all the flash and sizzle of most SEC offenses, the SEC is still a line of scrimmage league. That may not be true of the ACC but it has not discarded defensive football as the Big 12 has done. Saban’s description of FSU is valid. The FSU defense is big, strong, fast and physical.
On the premiere night of the first complete weekend of college football, trench warfare will go far in deciding the outcome. Nick Saban Alabama football teams prioritize establishing the run and stopping the run. That brings us to our first key component to taking down FSU.
Alabama Offensive Line and Establishing a Run Game
Outside the world inhabited by Alabama football faithful, some believe FSU may have the better defense. The FSU defensive line will be a challenge for an Alabama offensive line unsure about its right side.
Getting a push and creating running holes against Derrick Nnadi, Josh Sweat, Brian Burns, Matthew Thomas and Ro’Derrick Hoskins will not be easy. All-Everything player for the Noles, safety Derwin James will no doubt help load the box against the Tide. James can make a legit claim to being the best defensive player in the nation.