What would be great for Alabama Football against Mercer

No disrespect to the Mercer Bears, but on Saturday an Alabama Football win is guaranteed. Mercer is a good, No. 9-ranked FCS team. Against lower-level competition, the Bears are said to have a strong defense. Counter to that claim is in Mercer's one loss, the Samford Bulldogs put up 55 points. In two of Samford's six losses, The Citadel and Wofford held them to 13 and 11 points, respectively.

The win is what matters most on Saturday; not the winning margin. Other things would be more valuable to the Alabama Crimson Tide than a blowout win. Sitting many starters would make no sense. But Alabama can ill afford to lose a key player to injury against Mercer. It would be great if second-unit players saw considerable action beginning as early as the second quarter. Any player not physically close to 100% should be given the weekend off.

When the second and third-unit players rotate into the game, it should not be after much of the playbooks have been closed for the day. , Kendrick Law, Emmanuel Henderson, Kobe Prentice, and Caleb Odom have combined for only 27 receptions this season. The little-targeted Crimson Tide wideouts need to catch passes against Mercer. Many of those passes need to be thrown by Ty Simpson. As always, the Tide No. 2 is only a play away from having to lead the Alabama offense. He needs meaningful game reps throwing the ball.

There is also the Transfer Portal factor. Underused players with bright futures need game action not restricted to mop-up duty. Backups that the Alabama football staff consider essential for next season should see lots of action against Mercer.

Alabama Football 'almost starters' need extra work

The Mercer game is also important for certain key backups to get time with starters. Three are offensive lineman Geno VanDeMark, Wolf, redshirt freshman Yhonzae Pierre, and Husky/Cornerback DaShawn Jones. VanDeMark has performed well when called on. Jones was a bit shaky early in the season but played well subbing for DeVonta Smith against LSU. Both players need game chemistry time with their first units. After the season-ending injury to Que Robinson, Pierre now has an important rotational role with Qua Russaw.