Alabama Football: It is not how Tua starts but how he finishes

Everything about the LSU game sets up for Alabama football to play at a high level. What matters most is how Tua finishes the game.

Alabama football fans are unusually anxious. LSU fans are confidently expecting an end to their program’s most painful losing streak. Over 100 guys will compete in Saturday’s game. All of them can impact the outcome. How one of them plays will be the most pivotal factor.

At whatever percentage of fitness Tua Tagovailoa begins the game, the bigger question is how well his ankle holds up to contact. LSU will pound Tua at every opportunity. Alabama football coaching schemes and supreme effort by Tua’s teammates will attempt maximum protection of the star quarterback. Will it be enough for four quarters of what is typically one of the most physical games of the college football season?

Alabama football fans are taking exception to Gary Danielson’s comments after he observed practice on Thursday.

The response from some Crimson Tide fans may be overblown. This week, there have been virtually no suggestions Tua would be 100 percent. Danielson does not have a scoop and is reporting what many insiders have been saying. Tua while recovering quickly, will not be his fully healthy self.

Tua’s mobility, at say 85 percent, is not really an issue. He will be able to plant and throw. He will be able to move around to avoid some pressure. The issue is his durability. The medical theory is the “rope” procedure actually makes the ankle stronger and less prone to further injury. However, the surgical area has not had much healing time and pain from contact on Saturday can be a factor.

A best-case scenario would be he never goes down other than choosing to slide. Getting the ball out of his hand quickly, without designed runs seems the best strategy. Still, the young man is a fighter. He is not likely to back away from all challenges.

Other than schemes, making sure Tua remains effective comes down to his pass protectors. Statistically, the Crimson Tide is sixth-best among Power Five teams in Sacks Allowed. The Tide’s average is 1.13 sacks per game, which is second-best in the SEC. LSU is sixth at 1.88 sacks per game.

It could be argued the Tide offensive line is underrated because of the change that made Landon Dickerson the starting center. With Dickerson in the middle, the pocket is not being pushed as it was at times earlier in the season.

The reality against LSU is the Tide offensive line is a strength – AND, even one sack of Tua could be too many. An 80-90 percent Tua-led Tide beats LSU. An injured-aggravated 60-70 percent Tua-led Tide may not.

In fairness to Mac Jones, all is not lost if Tua aggravates his ankle during the LSU game. A somewhat different Alabama football offense could still move the ball on LSU.