Alabama Football: Tide offense will not have to be so explosive in ’19
By Ronald Evans
The 2019 Alabama football defense will shoulder more of a load in 2019, allowing the Tide’s explosive offense some breathing room.
The 2018 Alabama football offense was record-setting. Tua Tagovailoa’s performance was the biggest reason. The sophomore blew past three single-season Crimson Tide quarterback records.
Tua passed Blake Sims 3,487 passing yards, totaling 3,966 yards. He eclipsed A .J. McCarron’s touchdown pass record of 30, with an amazing 43 TD passes. Tua also broke the Jalen Hurts records for touchdowns in a season of 36, by ringing up 48 scores.
The biggest problem for the Crimson Tide last season was the offense needed to always deliver. Why? Because the 2018 version of the Alabama football defense was not championship caliber. A 100 percent healthy Tua throughout last season would have produced even more amassing numbers. But he and the rest of the Tide offense would have still needed more help from their defensive teammates.
Alabama football finished No. 12 in Total Defense in the FBS last season. College football fans wowed by more than a decade of explosive offenses tend to forget the importance of defense. The old refrain of defense wins championships does not mean what it long did in college football. Still, winning a bunch of games and winning national championships are two very different challenges.
To win a national championship, explosive offense alone is not usually enough. Using the same sports-reference.com source, comparing the last 10 national champions and each team’s Total Defense is illuminating.
Seven of the last ten National Champions ranked either No. 1 or No. 2 in Total Defense. The major outliers were Auburn in 2010 and Ohio State in 2014. Check out the list below of National Champions and Total Defense rankings.
- 2009 – Alabama – No. 2 in Total Defense
- 2010 – Auburn – No. 53 in Total Defense
- 2011 – Alabama – No. 1 in Total Defense
- 2012 – Alabama – No. 1 in Total Defense
- 2013 – Florida State – No.1 in Total Defense
- 2014 – Ohio State – No. 26 in Total Defense
- 2015 – Alabama – No. 2 in Total Defense
- 2016 – Clemson – No. 10 in Total Defense
- 2017 – Alabama – No. 1 in Total Defense
- 2018 – Clemson – No. 1 in Total Defense
Defense still matters in college football.
The 2019 Alabama football defense will be better than the 2018 version. It could be much better. Replacing Quinnen Williams will likely require a group effort on the defensive line. Otherwise, barring injuries, the Crimson Tide will be solid everywhere.
Everywhere, including inside linebacker. The one depth chart weakness on the Alabama football defense is inside linebacker. Tide fans can expect Nick Saban to solve even that problem as long as Dylan Moses stays healthy. Look for Josh McMillon to provide competent play and for true freshman Shane Lee to develop quickly as the season progresses.
If needed, the Tide’s go-to formation may be more dime than nickel in 2019. Six defensive backs on the field will be a strength for the Tide in 2019. The secondary will be much improved. The Tide is loaded depth-wise for the nickel formation with Patrick Surtain II, Trevon Diggs, Xavier McKinney, Shyheim Carter and Josh Jobe. If Jared Mayden or another player can be a physical, sixth DB (money is the position), one truly great inside linebacker is enough.
The Crimson Tide coaching staff will work hard to build depth at inside linebacker. Losing Dylan Moses against top competition could be devastating. Except for that real risk, look for the 2019 Alabama football defense to more than carry its load.
Next. State of the Crimson Tide. dark
Add the following into the defense will be better equation – the Tide will have talented depth on the defensive line, unlike last season. In addition, the roster of outside linebackers is exceptional.