Game Preview: No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide vs No. 14 Miami Hurricanes
By Matt Melton
Game Preview: No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide vs No. 14 Miami Hurricanes
When: Saturday, September 4 at 3:30 pm ET on ABC
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
College football has finally arrived once again as we officially kickoff the 2021 Alabama football season with two storied programs meeting in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game in Atlanta, the first meeting between the Crimson Tide and the Hurricanes since the infamous 1993 Sugar Bowl.
The Crimson Tide enter the 2021 season as the defending national and SEC champions, ranked No. 1 in the preseason AP Poll. After finishing the 2020 season at an undefeated 13-0, Alabama lost multiple prominent players off last seasons team including Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith, quarterback Mac Jones, running back Najee Harris, and many more.
The Crimson Tide have reloaded however with a roster that should be led by one of the top defenses in college football, one of the best Nick Saban has had in years. While the defense is arguably the strength for Alabama as we enter the 2021 campaign, the offense will also be talented under new OC Bill O’Brien featuring many new faces, including at quarterback.
Miami on the other hand enters the 2021 season ranked as the preseason No. 14 team in the AP Poll. Coming off an 8-3 2020 campaign that concluded with a 37-34 loss to Oklahoma State in the Cheez-It Bowl, the Hurricanes will be looking for a massive upset to begin what should be an exciting 2021 season.
Entering year three under head coach Manny Diaz, Miami is expected to be one of the top teams in the ACC this season, and arguably the favorite in the ACC Coastal division. While the Hurricanes did lose a few notable players to the NFL, Miami returns a talented and experienced roster led by one of the best quarterbacks in the country in senior D’Eriq King.