Game Preview: No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Southern Miss Golden Eagles

TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - SEPTEMBER 11: Jase McClellan #21 of the Alabama Crimson Tide returns a blocked punt for a touchdown against the Mercer Bears during the first half at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 11, 2021 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - SEPTEMBER 11: Jase McClellan #21 of the Alabama Crimson Tide returns a blocked punt for a touchdown against the Mercer Bears during the first half at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 11, 2021 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama Crimson Tide running back Trey Sanders (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Alabama Crimson Tide Keys To Win

1. Run the Ball

The Crimson Tide struggled to run the ball at-times last week, and now face a defense that hasn’t allowed an opponent to rush for over 100-yards so far this season. If Robinson is unavailable to go, we could see a lot of McClellan, Sanders, and Williams on Saturday.

2. Run Defense

Southern Miss likely won’t throw the ball a lot with a freshman quarterback on the road, meaning that Gore Jr will likely be the focal-point of the Golden Eagles offense. If the Alabama front-seven can slow-down the Southern Miss running-game, it may be hard for the Golden Eagles to move the ball.

3. Pass Rush

As mentioned previously, Troy totaled nine sacks a week ago against Southern Miss. Could Alabama’s pass rushers see similar success to Troy’s a week ago?

Alabama vs Southern Miss Game Prediction

While next week’s game against No. 13 Ole Miss is obviously the game to look forward to, don’t overlook the Golden Eagles. Southern Miss is a team that has had success running the ball, an area the Crimson Tide struggled to defend last week.

Alabama should bounce-back here on both sides of the ball as the Crimson Tide are considered as massive favorites, and rightfully so. If Alabama can stop the run early, while also providing consistent pass rush, the Southern Miss offense will not be able to keep-up, and the Crimson Tide should pull-away early.

Prediction: Alabama 49, Southern Miss 10