Alabama Football vs. Texas: Five keys and score prediction
By Ronald Evans
Football coaches would scoff at any Alabama football game having just five keys to success. Depending on how deep the dive into any expected to-be close game, there can be many more keys than five.
Without such a deep dive, I’ll suggest should the five keys listed below go in favor of the Alabama football team, Texas will not be able to win. And that is no matter what else happens in the game, beyond major injuries to key Alabama players.
The first two keys are simple, but not of diminished importance. I am presuming unless the Crimson Tide pulls away late, the game will be close to the projected one-touchdown spread. In any game that close, the losing team often loses the turnover margin, making turnovers key No. 1.
Key No. 2 is penalty discipline by the Crimson Tide. There were multiple reasons why Alabama struggled against Texas last season, but 15 penalties for a loss of 100 yards was a major one.
Alabama Football Winning Key No. 3
In run blocking and pass protection, the Alabama offensive line must be much better than last season. Last year, without an 81-yard run by Jase McClellan, the Crimson Tide’s leading rusher would have been Bryce Young.
The rushing deficiency on McClellan’s other carries and 10 of the 11 combined rushes by Jahmyr Gibbs and Roydell Williams was on Bill O’Brien’s play-calling and the Tide’s offensive line.
The Longhorns should have a better defense than last season. The Tide’s O-Line must handle them effectively and in certain situations dominate.