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Alabama Football: Week nine key games for Crimson Tide fans

By Ronald Evans

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 11: The College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy is seen on the field before the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game between the Clemson Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 11: The College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy is seen on the field before the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game between the Clemson Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Gardner Minshew #16 of the Washington State Cougars celebrates his touchdown. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Gardner Minshew #16 of the Washington State Cougars celebrates his touchdown. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Washington State at Stanford

Could it be the PAC 12 is shut out of the CFB Playoff again? Don’t ask Washington State, head coach Mike Leach for an answer. Leach believes every FBS team should make the Playoffs.

If Wazzu can win on the road against Stanford, there will be some upper west coast clamor the PAC 12 does not deserve to be excluded for the third time in the Payoff era. If the Cardinal win, the door is slammed shut on any PAC 12 chances.

Leach deserves credit for building an explosive offense every season, whoever he has at QB. This season it is Gardner Minshew. Minshew turned down a grad transfer opportunity to hold a clipboard for Alabama football. He now leads the FBS in passing yards per game with 392 yards.

Stanford cannot get Bryce Love untracked. Love was second in the Heisman voting last season with a gaudy eight yards-per-carry average. He is managing only half that this season. Stanford is also No. 97 in the FBS, giving up 252 passing yards per game.

The Cougars are not big favorites but the matchups favor Wazzu.

Bama Hammer Lead Writer, Ronald Evans: Washington State 34 – Stanford 21

Navy vs. Notre Dame in San Diego, CA

Maybe what is most interesting for Alabama football fans are the pair of cousins playing in the game. For Navy, there is Adam Amosa-Tagovailoa and for the Irish, Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa. Both young men are cousins of Crimson Tide QB, Tua Tagovailoa.

How will Notre Dame handle the Navy triple-option offense? The Irish have held opponents under 19 points on average this season but have been less effective against the run. The Irish surrender an average of 3.6 yards-per-carry. The 2-5 Navy team rushes for 5.11 yards-per-carry is No. 3 in the FBS at 309 rushing yards per game. If the perplexing Midshipmen offense can approach a 5-yard average against the Irish the contest could be tight.

Chewing up yardage and time, while keeping the Notre Dame offense off the field is the only way for Navy to win. The Midshipmen have little margin for error.

San Diego is not like playing in Annapolis but the 24,000 strong San Diego Naval Base will give Navy a bit of home-field advantage.

The Notre Dame offense is expected to make this game a blowout.

Bama Hammer Lead Writer, Ronald Evans: Notre Dame 31 – Navy 17

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