Keys for Alabama football to win the National Championship
2. Trey Sermon can’t be what beats the Tide
Trey Sermon might be the best running back that Alabama has faced all year. The Tide have been lucky to avoid dominant backs, but they have still struggled with them. The Tide like to spread the defense out in nickel and dime, and that makes it crucial that the defensive line holds their own in the trenches. Teams like Ole Miss have exploited that, and it has kept Alabama from dominating every game.
Alabama also struggles with defending backs in the passing game. This has been a weakness all season, and quality offenses know how to exploit it. Dylan Moses has been playing while in pain, and it shows with his inability to cover quick running backs.
Trey Sermon is coming off of a career day against Clemson. He was able to sustain drives and torch the Tigers in many ways. This added a level to their offense and helped Fields overcome his injuries.
One surprising stat from the Sugar Bowl is that Sermon only scored one touchdown. He touched the football 35 times, but he only reached the endzone once. That at least helps Alabama football fans feel better about his impact. As long as you can keep him out of the endzone, you are doing something right. Still, Sermon can’t dominate in this game like Ezekiel Elliot did in 2014.