Alabama Football and Ole Miss: Comparing the position groups

SPECIAL TEAMS

Special teams play is much more than the placekicker and the punter. In the many, very specific special teams roles of kicking, covering, and returning, Alabama Football has a talent advantage. In some cases, it is a sizable advantage, and in a close game, that alone could make the difference.

• Placekicker – Advantage Alabama with the SEC’s most consistent in Will Reichard.
• Punter – Advantage Alabama as James Burnip leads the SEC in punting with an average of 48.19 yards.
• Kickoff and Punt Returns – Advantage Alabama with Kool-Aid McKinstry, Kendrick Lawson and Terrion Arnold
• Kickoff and Punt Coverage – Advantage Alabama

One other important comparison is not position group specific. Looking at penalties, the stats show Alabama Football has not been much better than Ole Miss. Both teams have committed 17 penalties in three games and the Rebels average about four additional penalty yards per game.

Based on Ole Miss, having an opening game against an FCS team, and no other comparable opponent to Texas, an easier Ole Miss schedule, should mean a Crimson Tide penalties advantage.

Note: The comparative team and player data provided by cfbstats.com and Sports Reference