Alabama Football: The State of the Crimson Tide Part 3

While the ending of the 2018 season may have left us all in great disarray, worry not Alabama Football faithful, the state of the Crimson Tide is strong.

If I had to rank my least favorite games I have watched the Alabama football team compete it, the Kick Six would be first followed closely by the last second loss to Clemson led by Deshaun Watson in 2017. Following those last-second losses, the Ole Miss losses in back-to-back seasons would be next. Last year’s crushing defeat to Clemson would be last on the list, perhaps because I realized so early on that the game was out of reach.

Losing at the very end of a game as the result of only a play or two going differently is harder to take. Knowing the Tide could have or even should have won is frustrating when the cards play out in the competition’s favor. In the National Championship game last year, it was clear Clemson was the far superior team and deserved the win.

That precedent is all anyone needs to know to understand how this off-season and the upcoming season will be for the Alabama football team. I’m not sure of anything Nick Saban enjoys more than not being the top-ranked team in the nation. All the media coverage has been focused on Trevor Lawrence, Dabo Swinney, and the Clemson Tigers. A little disrespect to put a chip on their shoulders is the only motivation Saban and Scott Cochran need to get the team fired up.

Alabama Football Offense

Tua Tagovailoa experienced his toughest games of the season in the College Football Playoff. With a less than impressive spring game performance, the doubters are beginning to surface. I believe it’s important for everyone to remember our first experience with Tagovailoa- the overtime Titanic-moment win over Georgia in the National Championship. While he cemented himself to legend status with that play, he is still human and should be allowed to have human-like games. Going 19-for-31 with several dropped passes by receivers isn’t anything worthy of concern.

The Alabama football offense is only losing a few veterans in the running back core and on the offensive line. Nearly all of the receivers are returning with the exception of Irv Smith Jr. The offensive line and running back groups will replenish nicely with new talent. Tua Tagovailoa returns with more experience and better health. The state of the Crimson Tide offense is strong.

Alabama Football Defense

The defense only suffers a significant loss at the defensive line position. Quinnen Williams leaves behind a gaping hole. Raekwon Davis returns for his senior season with- hopefully- better decisions and his enormous size. He has the opportunity to be the anchor of the defensive line group next season.

The secondary is the group I am most excited to see next season. With far more experience and some leaders stepping up, namely Xavier McKinney and Trevon Diggs, the secondary should be nasty. Keep in mind, this was the secondary Tua was facing as part of the Spring Game while only being able to employ a very small portion of the offensive playbook.

Dylan Moses returns at linebacker and has the potential to fulfill his role as the vocal leader of the defense. I believe he may follow suit as one of the great Alabama linebackers. The state of the Crimson Tide defense is strong.

Alabama Football Special Teams

Skyler DeLong performed very well at the Spring Game last weekend after losing the starting position early in 2018. While Bulovas knocked an extra point off the upright, he performed well otherwise. I anticipate freshman phenom Will Reichard will take over that position soon enough. He had a solid spring game performance as well. The state of the Crimson Tide special teams is strong.

Alabama Football Coaching

Nick Saban spent the beginning of the off-season cleaning house in the Alabama Football coaching staff room. Nearly every assistant moved on to other schools. However, Saban brought back in some firepower. The return of Sal Sunseri to the linebackers coach was Saban’s best move. Sunseri coached some of the best linebackers part of the best Alabama defenses ever and doesn’t appear to have lost his touch.

New defensive line coach Brian Baker led Mississippi State to have one of the best lines in the country last year. Steve Sarkisian’s style offense should complement Tua’s strengths nicely. The receiving core seems to be responding well to new receivers coach Holman Wiggins. This group of assistants may be Saban’s best in quite a few years. The state of the Crimson Tide coaches is strong.

Saban may have referred to the 2019 season as a rebuilding year, but I believe it will be anything but. With a chip on their shoulder, lots of returning talent, and strong coaching, the 2019 season should end with another trip to the College Football Playoff. The state of the Crimson Tide is certainly strong.