Alabama Football: Zachary Mangum breaks down Missouri and TAMU games
The Alabama football offense will probably take a small step back down to earth in 2020. Gone are the days (at least temporarily) of 400-yard, four TD passing games week in and week out. Don’t get me wrong Mac Jones, Bryce Young, and even Paul Tyson are very capable passers who can push the ball down the field, but Tua spoiled us with his efficiency and consistency.
The biggest question mark for Alabama’s offense is who actually replaces Tua. Most everyone, including myself, believes that Mac Jones will begin the season as the starter. However, I also fully expect Bryce Young to get a healthy amount of reps during the game and we may even see a little Paul Tyson at some point.
This has the feel of a 2016 USC game in my opinion. Where the favorite to win the starting job prior to that game, Blake Barnett, was beaten out by the 3rd stringer for that game, Jalen Hurts. Will Mac Jones hold off Young and Tyson to keep the starting job? Only time will tell. I believe that the offense is in good hands with any of them. Mac Jones has good leadership qualities and Young has the talent to be as good or better than Tua Tagovailoa.
Young has better scrambling ability than Tua. I would even venture to say his running ability is as good or better than even Jalen Hurts’s. That would bring an added dimension to an already potent offensive attack for the Crimson Tide. All of this is to say, we will see Alabama football return to its roots in 2020. Meaning, establishing a power running game and executing play-action off of it.
As good as the WRs were in 2020, the RB group has the potential to be just as good in 2020. Led by former 5-star prospect and underrated superstar Najee Harris, the depth at RB goes 5-6 players deep. It starts with Najee, but there are at least 5 other guys who could start for almost any team in the country. Brian Robinson will likely be the No. 2 guy behind Najee. Nipping at his heels, and quite frankly Najee’s as well, is Redshirt Freshman phenom, Trey Sanders.
Sanders is finally going to get his shot after taking an unintended redshirt season following a season-ending injury in camp last year. Fans might remember him from his commitment ceremony where he promised to win the Heisman as a Freshman. Behind Sanders, there are three true freshmen in Jase McClellan, Roydell Williams, and Kyle Edwards. By all accounts, Williams has been impressive thus far in camp and will likely be the No. 4 back on the depth chart.
The only question at RB for Alabama football is what the heck is going on with Keilan Robinson. Keilan Robinson has been absent from practice for some time now, leading to speculation that he is either opting out of the season or he is transferring. Neither of these outcomes is particularly appealing, although opting out allows him to retain a year of eligibility. Robinson showed talent last season and it would be a shame if he does transfer.