Alabama Football: Horns banking on four things to upset Crimson Tide

Of interest to Alabama football fans is what Texas is counting on to upset the Crimson Tide. Even though there is little optimism among Texas fans, stalwart followers of the Longhorns have decided there are four ways Texas can topple the Tide.

Before any Alabama Crimson Tide fan scoffs, the source of the following information is credible. It is Andrew Miller of Hook’Em Headlines who knows as much about the Texas football program as anyone.

Andrew recently defined four reasons why the Longhorns can pull off an upset. The four are listed below with my take on the threat level Alabama football fans might, or might not want to consider.

Claimed Texas threats to Alabama Football

Miller believes the Crimson Tide is vulnerable at offensive tackle. As a result, it is believed Texas edge rushers will be able to frequently pressure Bryce Young. He points out new Tide left tackle, Tyler Steen does not have enough quickness and Texas rushers can sprint past him.

My take is Steen is somewhat unproven, at least as a Crimson Tide player. But I am not worried about Steen for two reasons. He did well against Georgia’s pass rushers last season and on multiple occasions during fall camp, Nick Saban has praised both the Tide’s starting tackles. Nick Saban never bestows unearned praise.

Andrew Miller expects Texas will have success with 12 personnel, because of their 6’4″, 250-pound tight end, Ja’Tavion Sanders. Miller thinks Alabama will struggle with Sanders if the Tide tries to cover him with a linebacker.

On Sanders, I agree he is a strong offensive weapon. I am not sure a Tide linebacker will be the primary defender. Brian Branch could certainly defend Sanders, even if To’o To’o or Moody cannot. With only two wides in a Texas 12 personnel package, Alabama can also cover him with a linebacker, with some help from Branch or a safety.

Miller’s third point is Alabama cannot afford to just use a cornerback to defend Xavier Worthy and will be forced to add help from a safety. Per Miller, the Tide concentrating on Worthy will leave more open space underneath for other Texas receivers running 5-15 yard routes.

I respect Worthy and his ability, but I think the Crimson Tide corners can handle him. One reason is, on many plays, the Tide pass rush will not give Quinn Ewers long enough to wait for Worthy to run deep routes.

Two areas Miller thinks favor Texas are running up the middle and passes in the flats to Bijan Robinson and Keilan Robinson.

I agree with Miller that getting the ball to either Robinson on the edge can negate some of the Tide pass rush. I disagree about Alabama having difficulty with interior runs.

Andrew Miller makes some good points. I hope he is wrong on all of them. At the least, I believe he is more wrong than right and I have no upset worries.