Alabama passed a test on a blistering Saturday in Tuscaloosa. How blistering? Before some cloud help, the on-field temperature was reported as 120 degrees. The Crimson Tide was prepared with a cooling tent and bench cooling units. It appeared cramps were restricted to one Alabama player, Rico Scott, who later returned to action.
Every stat from Saturday might deserves an asterisk because ECU is not an SEC-level team. ESPN Analytics has the Pirates projected to win every other regular-season game, except against Memphis. ECU may match last season's total of nine wins and possibly more. ECU battled but was not a serious threat to Alabama.
What was learned about Alabama from ECU game
Keelon Russell's showed the huge upside everyone in Tuscaloosa believes him to have. No, he was not perfect, but he will improve and the improvement should be rapid. The Crimson Tide run game, and the blocking that must initiate looked to be improved. Daniel Hill and EJ Crowell rushed for over five-yard averages. Keelon's rushing average was 6.6 yards.
Except for a one-play coverage bust that allowed ECU a 68-yard gain, followed by a 1-yard touchdown, Kane Wommack's defense was outstanding. ECU's other 40 offensive plays gained 94 yards. Sack-adjusted, ECU rushed for a 0.7-yard average.
What we learned about Crimson Tide opponents
Florida State does not play a Week 1 game until Monday. Let's compare Alabama's win over ECU to wins by Kentucky, South Carolina, Mississippi State, Tennessee, and Georgia. Using Bill Connelly's rankings, ECU was college football's No. 62 team, one spot below Baylor, which Auburn squeaked by in Atlanta.
Kentucky beat No. 154 Youngstown State, 45- 13. South Carolina beat No. 172 Kent State, 57-0; Mississippi State beat No. 157 ULM, 62-13; and Tennessee beat No. 202 Furman, 56-9. Georgia had the largest margin of victory, beating Tennessee State 63-3, but the FCS opponent was ranked No. 273.
Early games can mislead and early rankings are nearly always flawed. But the Crimson Tide win over ECU was better than the wins of Alabama's future five, SEC opponents.
Note: Alabama stats provided by Stat Broadcast
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