Missouri RB Ahmad Hardy is the nation's leading rusher. He's the best running back Alabama's defense has seen this season, and will probably be the best running back the Crimson Tide sees all season. He's likely salivating over the opportunity to face Alabama's 70th-ranked run defense.
Missouri is averaging over 300 rushing yards per game - the top mark in college football. Alabama gives up a little over 155 yards per game on average. It would be a win for the Tide's defense if they can hold Hardy and the Tigers to 155 yards on the ground this weekend.
The numbers are a little deceiving - Alabama's run defense put forth a dominant effort last week against Vanderbilt from the second quarter on, but the key will be starting faster.
Kalen DeBoer knows how big a challenge this weekend's game will represent. He's practically screaming it from the rooftop to get his team to understand it.
In an appearance on the "Bussin with the Boys" podcast this week, DeBoer spoke with hosts Will Compton and Taylor Decker about how difficult it will be to stop Hardy and Missouri.
"He just keeps plays alive," DeBoer said. "People think they've got him down, and he's still running. The yards after contact just blow your mind."
In just five games, Hardy has racked up 730 yards and is averaging a staggering 7.1 yards per carry. He's eclipsed 100 rushing yards in all five games, including a 250-yard outing against Louisiana. Kansas did the best against Hardy, holding him to "just" 112 yards on 25 attempts. A similar effort by the Crimson Tide would put Alabama in a position to win the game.
Kalen DeBoer says Alabama will have to 'rally' to bring down Ahmad Hardy
One of the things you immediately notice on tape with Hardy is that he rarely goes down on first contact. If you try to throw your shoulder into him, he's going to run you over. It will take a group defensive effort to bring him down.
"We got to rally," DeBoer said. "We got to be there."
Missouri will do its best to keep the ball out of Ty Simpson's hands on Saturday. They'll want to dominate the time of possession and grind the game to a halt. Not only is Missouri the No. 1-ranked rushing offense in the country, it's No. 1 in the country in run defense, too, allowing only 39.5 yards per game.
DeBoer knows Alabama's offense is going to have to take advantage of all of its opportunities because those opportunities could be few and far in between.
"They're in it for the long haul," DeBoer said. "You don't see them having to feel like they got to go score 25 points in the first quarter. They're willing to just grind you out...
"They are dominating on the run game, both sides of the ball. The time of possession, if we're not careful, you're not gonna have the ball at all."