Alabama Football: Ranking the six toughest games in 2020 season
By Ronald Evans
Alabama football faces a more difficult schedule in ’20. The six toughest games are ranked below.
Two things stand out about the upcoming Alabama football season. First, now is time for the Crimson Tide to rebound from a dip in elite status that began with the National Championship game loss to Clemson. There is no dishonor in losing a title game. Losing by four touchdowns is unacceptable. The injury-defined 2019 season offered no healing from the failure against Clemson.
Climbing back to the top of the mountain must be achieved in the 2020 season via the toughest Alabama football schedule in recent years. Most Alabama football, regular seasons hinge on the outcomes of two or three big games. In 2020, the season may be determined in six, potentially tough games. From difficult to most difficult, those six games are ranked below.
No. 6 Toughest
Sept. 5 vs USC Trojans
This game will establish a measurement of the SEC vs. the Pac 12. Most preseason predictions for the Trojans have them winning the Pac 12 South. No one is predicting an upset over the Alabama Crimson Tide. Even our FanSided counterparts at Reign of Troy are hoping USC can make a loss, respectable.
Actually, USC could do more than being respectable. Even with a weak 2020 recruiting class, Clay Helton’s roster is filled with talent. Based on the 247Sports Composite, USC had the No. 4 classes in 2017 and 2018.
USC has a top quarterback in Kedon Slovis, who threw for over 3,500 yards and 30 touchdowns as a freshman. The wide receiver group is solid and deep. If new Defensive Coordinator, Todd Orlando can deliver some of what he promises, USC will be much improved.
"We’re going to be aggressive. We’re going to attack people. I really believe that in today’s game, creating negative yardage plays, attacking the quarterback, turnovers —all those things— go into creating explosive plays on defense."
Conversely, Alabama football will be looking to make a loud, opening game statement. The Crimson Tide has much to prove, particularly defensively, but also at quarterback. The outcome should be a double-digit victory for Alabama football.