Alabama Football: Key matchups for Crimson Tide vs. Longhorns

Can the Crimson Tide receivers create separation?

As good as the Texas receivers are and as good as Quinn Ewers can be, the team strength for the Longhorns is on defense.

Linebackers David Gbenda and Jaylen Ford are outstanding. Ethan Burke, T’Vondre Sweat, Byron Murphy, and Vernon Broughton are formidable on the Texas defensive front.  Texas has a seasoned group of solid defensive backs in Arkansas transfer, Jalen Catalon, Derek Williams, Jerrin Thompson, Ryan Watts, Terrence Brooks, and Jahdae Barron. Freshman Malik Muhammad looks to be a quickly emerging star.

Texas is expected to be more concerned with slowing the Crimson Tide’s rushing attack. But against Rice, the Horns sometimes had seven and even eight guys in coverage. Against combo coverage schemes Alabama receivers will have to free themselves up in order to be effective.

So what will be Saturday night’s result? A Crimson Tide win of course. I’ll go into more detail later in the week.