Is the Alabama football Offensive Line a strength or a weakness?
By Ronald Evans
Alabama football dominated the 2017 All-SEC team with eight first-team selections and three second-team players.
Alabama football placed six defensive players on the All-SEC team, four on the first team and two more on the second team. First-team defensive selections were Minkah Fitzpatrick, Rashaan Evans, DaRon Payne and Ronnie Harrison. Second team defenders were Raekwon Davis and Levi Wallace.
On the offensive first team, Calvin Ridley was joined by three Tide offensive linemen, Jonah Williams, Ross Piersbacher and Bradley Bozeman. The other Crimson Tide player recognized to the second team was punter J.K. Scott.
Most Alabama football fans recognize the talents of Jonah Williams and Brad Bozeman. Even so, both players were not at the top of their games against Mississippi State or Auburn. Piersbacher does not receive the same level of approval from Tide fans. Rarely used reserve J.C. Hassenauer filled in for an injured Piersbacher for most of the Mississippi State game. Most agree he exceeded the normal performance by Piersbacher.
The Tide Passing Game
There is little dispute among Alabama football fans over the Tide’s passing woes. The Tide is ranked No. 9 in the SEC and No. 86 in the nation in Passing Offense at 200 yards-per-game. There is considerable debate over the primary blame for the lackluster numbers.
Many fans see Jalen Hurts as the major problem. Others place more blame on poor pass protection. Still others believe the major problem lies in overly dependent passing schemes in Brian Daboll’s offense.
The NCAA does not publish stats on quarterback pressures. Sacks are of course tracked and the Tide is No. 5 in the SEC and No. 51 in the FBS for sacks allowed. As Saban points out, pressures can be almost as effective as sacks in causing negative plays. Hurts was only sacked twice by Auburn but was pressured on nine other plays.
Sacks per Passing Attempts
Based on FBS sacks per passing attempts as compiled by collegefootballanalytics.com, Alabama gives up a sack once for every 13.55 pass attempts. That places the Tide at No. 93 in the FBS. Imagine how much lower the Tide would be in that ranking if Jalen Hurts was not adept at breaking tackles and so well schooled to throw the ball away under pressure.
From a narrow perspective, the sacks per passing attempts ratio for the Tide are not championship quality numbers. Is Alabama weak in pass protection? Does Jalen hold the ball too long? Is there a problem in Daboll’s scheme in getting receivers open quickly? Does Jalen not work through progressions often enough and fast enough?
Based on 12 games and particularly based on the Mississippi State and Auburn games, it appears the answers to the above questions are – yes, yes, yes, and yes. Add to these considerations the fact that Clemson is No. 3 in the FBS in sacking opponents.
How to beat a Clemson-stacked box
Assuming the Tigers (like everyone else) will load the box, the Tide has a big challenge. Daboll will need to utilize screens effectively. Jalen will need to get the ball out of his hand in three seconds or less. A quick look, intermediate passing attack not overly focused on Calvin Ridley will be needed. Do those things and the Alabama football offensive line will a position group of strength against Clemson.
Next: 30 Great Tide Players who were 3-Star Recruits
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