Alabama Football: 5 Bold Predictions for Bama and Dawgs

Defense Holds Bulldogs to Ten Points

Pure and simple, the defense stunk up Vaught Hemmingway Stadium. All fingers point to the troubled pariah of T-Town, Pete Golding.

Golding received an enormous pass last year due to the staggering amount of injuries in the front seven. There are absolutely no excuses for this season because injuries were limited and did not affect anyone projected to start.

After the abysmal showing in Oxford, disappointed Tide fans felt the same way as this fan.

Ole Miss running backs scooted through holes as wide as I-59. Running backs and tight ends roam free in the middle of the field or the flats with no one around. Add in the sloppy tackling and countless miscommunication, and it is surprising the fiery Saban did not blow a gasket on the sideline.

Luckily, Georgia brings to Tuscaloosa a methodical, grind it out SEC offense. Golding can prove the performance against Ole Miss was an anomaly and will never happen again.

During Monday’s player interview, sophomore defensive tackle DJ Dale spoke about how the defense can play better,

"We just need to settle down and lock in, focus on everybody doing their job. If everybody can do their job, nothing can go wrong. Don’t try to do anybody else’s job, just focus on what you have to do and focus on dominating your box.”"

The Bulldogs leading rusher, sophomore Zamir White (209 yards, 4 TDs), averages 3.9 yards per carry. Alabama will not let him exceed his average, effectively shutting down the running game and forcing quarterback fourth-year junior quarterback Stetson Bennett IV to win the game (689 yards, 5 TDs, zero interceptions).

Jackson Shut Down

Sophomore Kearis Jackson is Georgia’s leading receiver with 19 catches for 300 yards and one score. Jackson battled injuries after suffering a broken hand in last season’s opener against Vanderbilt. The receiver expected to noise, George Pickens, has struggled with only eight catches on the season.

Jackson, Bennett IV’s security blanket, will be blanketed all night by hungry corners Jobe or Surtain. Against Ole Miss, Josh Jobe and Patrick Surtain II locked down their receivers for 4 catches for 27 yards.