Now that we are in Alabama Football Game Week, it is time to elaborate on previous claims the Crimson Tide will win it all this season.
A few days ago, I offered three of the 10 reasons why I am so bullish on the Crimson Tide and another Alabama Football National Championship.
Alabama Football: Three reasons Crimson Tide will win it all
Alabama football fans have high expectations of a National Championship. Check out three reasons why optimism is warranted.
A short review of the first three reasons, from the post above, and the seven more reasons, are provided below.
- Renewed Team Focus – Orchestrated by Nick Saban, the Crimson Tide bounces back from disappointing seasons better than any other college football program. One reason why is the almost insanely high expectation, that every season must end in a National Championship. As crazy as that benchmark is, it does boost focus.
- Alabama Football has the two best players in CFB – Will Anderson Jr. and Bryce Young and no further explanation is needed.
- The top roster in CFB to pressure QBs and cover receivers – The best pass rushing group in college football will make a strong secondary even better.
- Experience at Safety – Jordan Battle passing on the NFL for a return Crimson Tide season was huge. Battle is the best safety in CFB. Going into his third season as a starter, Battle is as important in making defensive calls as Henry To’o To’o. Last season, there were some assignment mistakes made by some of Battle’s secondary partners. In addition, playing through injury, DeMarcco Hellams struggled at times. With a healthy Hellams and Battle’s leadership, coverage mistakes in the secondary will be minimal.
5. A repeat pairing of Bryce Young and Bill O’Brien – Not since the 2013 season has the Crimson Tide returned its Offensive Coordinator and its starting Quarterback. The 2013 season did not produce a three-peat for the Tide even with the return of OC, Doug Nussmeier and A.J. McCarron. When Bill O’Brien joined the Crimson Tide before last spring, Mac Jones taught him the Alabama offense. O’Brien adapted well, added some of his wrinkles and produced. He should build off that in ’22 with an offense harder to defend. Bryce too will be better, and he has been outspoken that having another season with O’Brien is huge for him. As was predicted a week ago, in the 2022 season, Bryce Young will become the Tide’s career passing leader.
6. James Burnip will be a more consistent punter – Burnip came to Tuscaloosa with a strong leg. His problem last season was inconsistency. Based on recent comments by Nick Saban, Burnip has improved.
7. The Alabama football offensive line will be better – Even with obvious problems in the offensive line last season, the Crimson Tide almost won it all. Having to replace an NFL, first-round left tackle is not a typical recipe for OL improvement. Tyler Steen may be very good at LT, but he is no Evan Neal. Why will the 2022 Alabama Crimson Tide be an exception? It is because of a coaching change. Eric Wolford quickly won over the offensive line room. The former Kentucky coach has also earned numerous words of confidence from Nick Saban. An offensive line must function as a unit and this one, coached by Wolford, will be better than last season.
8. Tide running backs will be bigger threats and more productive – An inconsistent offensive line last season was a problem, and not just in pass protection. Along with a lack of push sometimes in short-yardage situations, injuries to Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams diminished the Crimson Tide rushing attack. A healthy running back group, with an improved offensive line, will lead to more yards on the ground. Overall running back production will be much greater when receiving yards are included.
Will the Crimson Tide offense include more of a power running game? That remains to be seen, but the running backs are going to be a big part of the offense.
9. While the Crimson Tide roster is young, it is loaded with talent. As the Coaches Preseason All-SEC teams show, the Crimson Tide has more top talent than the rest of the SEC – a lot more. Between players already known to be game-changers, to other, potential game-changers, the 2022 roster could be Nick Saban’s most talented. Most of the time, there is a direct correlation between high-level talent and championships.
10. Nick Saban may not be CFB’s best in-game coach. But there can be no debate, he is the game’s best at team and player preparation. And he likes the 2022 team. As he said recently, the team has “bought in” and has very few “energy vampires” to distract it from its purpose.
Game week coverage continues on Monday, with the release of the first official Alabama Football Depth Chart.