Alabama Football not having Tim Keenan III against Florida State improves FSU's chances. The news excites FSU fans and makes some Crimson Tide fans nervous.
Ignore overreactions about Alabama; minus three starters is suddenly vulnerable to an FSU upset. Replacements for Tim Keenan III, Jam Miller, and Jaeden Roberts are up to their tasks.
The biggest loss of three (not talking size) is Keenan. Losing a recognized team leader is always a problem. When that leader is a Captain, the problem is worse. Additionally, Keenan is on preseason watch lists for the Bednarik, Nagurski, and Lombardi awards.
For the Alabama Crimson Tide, one player cannot replace Keenan. From two to five players may rotate at Keenan's role. Alabama's defensive front depth is great; 10 guys can work at the interior defensive linemen or bandit spots. In addition to expected starters James Smith and LT Overton, Kane Wommack can rely on Jah-Marien Latham, Keon Keeley, Kelby Collins, Jordan Renaud, Jeremiah Beaman, Edric Hill, and, if needed, Fatutoa Henry and Steve Mboumoua. Latham, Keeley, Collins, and Renaud can work on the inside or outside.
The Alabama football staff has plenty of time to determine a rotation. Even Keenan would have rotated with other defensive linemen.
Other Alabama Football Worst Case Scenarios
Any Crimson Tide fan driven to seek a worst-case scenario for Alabama against Florida State has better options than the loss of Keenan. What if Geno VanDemark struggles at right guard or Kam Dewberry struggles at left guard? What if both struggle? And how bad would it be if both guards struggle and Wilkin Formby does not perform well? Some combination of those circumstances could potentially make the Crimson Tide vulnerable against the Noles. Thoughts of a new quarterback starter behind a leaky offensive line are troubling.
For the record, the Alabama staff continues to be hopeful that Roberts could play against Florida State.