3 players who could be X-Factors for Alabama Football against Missouri

Alabama football returns home to face Missouri for Homecoming in front of what will likely be a restless Bryant-Denny crowd that is in no mood for any further nonsense.

The Crimson Tide lost its second game of the season last week on the road to Tennessee. In any other era of college football, its chances of winning a national title would be over. But in the first year of the 12-team playoff era, Alabama's playoff hopes are still alive, though they need to win their remaining five regular season games to have the opportunity of getting into the field.

That all starts on Saturday afternoon on Saban Field against the 6-1 Missouri Tigers, themselves also hoping to make a statement and get back into the thick of the playoff race after getting throttled by Texas A&M a few weeks ago.

Missouri isn't the team many thought they might be coming into the season, but they're talented and dangerous, fully capable of beating the Crimson Tide if Alabama doesn't bring its best effort, which is something we haven't seen them do since the first half against Georgia.

Alabama will need its best overall effort since that opening 30-minutes against the Bulldogs if it wants to get back on track and move to 6-2 on the season.

If the Tide is going to win, look for these three players to be potential X-Factors:

3 X-Factors for Alabama vs. Missouri

3. Robbie Ouzts

Don't expect the senior tight end to make a big impact in the passing game, but Robbie Ouzts is one of the best blocking "H-backs" in the country.

He's been a key part of the perimeter run game for the Crimson Tide. I'd like to see him line up in more of a fullback type role and leading the running game through the middle of the defense. I still believe Alabama should have an advantage up the middle, but that might require a fully healthy Jaedan Roberts at right guard, something we probably won't see the rest of the season.

Interestingly enough, Wilkin Formby saw some action in place of Elijah Pritchett at right tackle. Formby had a horrendous game against USF before being replaced by Pritchett, but it's clear the Tide is still working through the best option at right tackle.

Look for Alabama to try and get the ground game going, again, maybe even being a little more relient on it and not too quick to go away from it. Unless the Crimson Tide is playing from behind all night, I don't expect to see another game from Milroe where he's asked to throw 45 passes.

If Alabama commits to the ground game, expect Ouzts to play a big role in that.

2. Germie Bernard

For good reason, Alabama wants to get the ball in Ryan Williams' hands. Even as a freshman, he's one of the best receivers in the entire country. But the over-reliance on Williams was concerning against Tennessee. Jalen Milroe targeted Williams an absurd 20 times.

I expect the wealth to be spread more this week, and for the gameplan to revolve around more than just Williams in the passing game.

If that's the case, then Bernard should benefit. He's been the clear No. 2 guy for the Crimson Tide as a receiver this season. He was also open, a lot, on Saturday, and didn't get the targets he should have. When he was targeted, much like everyone else, passes weren't accurately thrown.

I look for Bernard to make a big impact on Saturday afternoon and ultimately be the Tide's leading receiver.

1. Brayson Hubbard

Per Kalen DeBoer, starting safety Keon Sabb will be out for a while. It's rumored Sabb broke his foot during the Tennessee game, and remained on the field to help his teammates try to eek out the win in Knoxville. That effort instantly makes him a legendary figure in Tuscaloosa, but unfortunately with Sabb out Alabama's depth in the secondary will be tested.

Hubbard saw a lot of playing time last weekend against Tennessee with various injuries in the secondary. Along with Sabb, DeVonta Smith and Red Mogan had minor tweaks that took them out of the game. They should all play, but Hubbard is the next man up in place of Sabb.

Hubbard played about half of the game on Saturday and was the Tide's second leading tackler with nine. It remains to be seen how he holds up in coverage, and the Tigers have elite WR's and undoubtedly a big part of Eli Drinkwitz's gameplan will be to test a young secondary vertically.

For better or worse, Hubbard might be the biggest X-Factor for Alabama. If he performs well, the Crimson Tide should find some success. If he struggles in his first career start, it could be a long day in Tuscaloosa.