What are the three most important questions for which Alabama Football must provide answers? When can those answers be expected? And what happens if any of the answers show a serious weakness in the Alabama Crimson Tide?
None of the most important questions addresses Alabama's starting quarterback. There are reasons to doubt how quickly Ty Simpson and one other Bama QB will transition from inexperienced to steady. Two Fall Camp scrimmages and three September games will likely be enough experience for the obvious talent in the Tide's QB1 to settle in.
Alabama Football Questions
In order for the fast development of the quarterback position, Alabama must answer offensive line questions. Can the Crimson Tide, and especially Wilkin Formby at right tackle, neutralize speed rushers? Reports from the scrimmages will give a good indication. A complete answer will be provided on Sept. 27 in Athens, GA. A subset offensive line question is how much push can consistently allow Alabama running backs to take pressure off the Tide's quarterback.
The other two most important questions are about the Alabama Football defense. The Crimson Tide offense could become outstanding in the 2025 season. But it is likely to be a work in progress as the quarterback position evolves with game experience. Until then, the Crimson Tide must not have to win offensive shootouts.
The two key defensive questions are: Can Alabama apply more quarterback pressure than it did last season, and can Kane Wommack's defense control the running games of opposing quarterbacks? There is more to pressuring a quarterback than sacks, but last season, Alabama was tied at No. 14 among SEC teams in averaging 1.92 sacks per game.
Option schemes with an effective running quarterback led to two Alabama losses last season. Vandy's Diego Pavia mostly carved up Alabama through 252 passing yards, completing 16-of-20 attempts, but his 56 yards on the ground were pivotal. Jackson Arnold almost beat Alabama single-handedly. In 10 games, Arnold rushed for 444 yards. He gained 131 of those yards against Alabama. In 43 rushing carries against Alabama, Arnold and Oklahoma, running back Xavier Robinson averaged 5.53 yards.
The Florida State game may not provide complete answers to the defensive questions but it will be a good indicator of how the Crimson Tide will perform in a key road game against South Carolina.