3 keys for Alabama football to dominate
2. The offensive line must gel
Alabama won the Joe Moore Award for the best offensive line in 2020. In 2021, they have to replace three starters and will shift their right tackle to left tackle. That doesn’t mean that Alabama can’t have another solid offensive line, but it does mean that the Tide have some questions that need to be answered heading into the year.
Alabama has a talented group of players on the offensive line, but the starting lineup is still uncertain. All we can say with certainty is that Evan Neal will start at left tackle and Javion Cohen will be the left guard. Will Chris Owens start at center or right tackle? Is Randolph ready to go? What about Emil Ekiyor? Can any of the freshmen crack the starting lineup? We simply don’t know these answers.
The talent is there. The group just needs to work together and build chemistry. Bryce Young is a mobile quarterback, but he shouldn’t have to worry about the pass rush. If he is given a clean pocket, he will torch the Hurricanes.
This will also impact the run game. Without Najee Harris, Alabama will rely heavily on the offensive line to create production for the running backs. Alabama should be fine, but the Tide need to gel fast if they want to dominate in the season opener.