5 takeaways for Alabama football vs. Mississippi State
4. Brian Robinson won’t see a drop in reps
Alabama prefers to use many running backs over the course of a season, but they’ve also been known to use a bell cow in the past. Derrick Henry saw that role, and Najee Harris was in a similar situation last season.
This year, Brian Robinson has been the bell cow. Jase McClellan brought some balance to begin the season, but Robinson saw even more touches since his injury. After a few weeks, fans thought that either Roydell Williams or Trey Sanders would fill in for McClellan. Williams is getting some snaps, but Robinson is getting almost all of the starter reps for Alabama football.
Robinson is running the ball. He can pass protect. With his size, he can absorb hits without needing rest. It’s not a perfect solution, but you can see why he is getting so many reps.
After a few more weeks of practice, maybe Williams will be used as a running back to change the pace. Right now, that is not a guarantee. Instead, Alabama will feed the 230-pound behemoth until someone else proves that they are worth seeing the field.
Someone will have to take reps away from Robinson, and that is unlikely. Robinson is playing too well to lose reps right now.