Borrowing an old phrase from Al Davis and the Oakland Raiders, all the Alabama Crimson Tide has to do in early games is 'Just Win, Baby.' Alabama would not get style points by rolling over East Carolina by a large margin. The Pirates should not be a bad team, but talent-wise, they are not in the same class as Alabama.
Given the road game environment, Kentucky will provide more of a challenge in Week 2. Some projections have the Crimson Tide winning by a single-digit margin. Alabama fans want a payback win over Florida State. Crimson Tide fans also want Keelon Russell to immediately ignite an Alabama offensive explosion. Alabama's Offensive Coordinator, Ryan Grubb, recently said that Russell is "operating at an incredibly high level right now." Should Alabama fans believe the Crimson Tide offense has smooth sailing ahead?
Perhaps some brake-pumping is in order. The offense will have growing pains. Keelon should not be expected to be an immediate superstar. There are more important considerations than winning big in the early games. Winning ugly would be just fine.
A best-case scenario would be Alabama getting three early wins without showing South Carolina and Georgia all its offensive and defensive wrinkles. The Crimson Tide offense can do things with Russell that it couldn't do with Ty Simpson. A more RPO-based attack matches Keelon's skills.
Alabama focus on offensive growth rather experimentation
Prior to the Georgia game, growth should be Alabama's focus rather than experimentation. In the first five games, doing simple things well should be enough to secure victories.
Another scenario could evolve. If the Crimson Tide's offensive line shows any of the weaknesses of the past, and if right tackle Jayvin James can't handle edge rushers, can all of Keelon's skills be utilized? James may need frequent blocking support from a tight end. The Crimson Tide has tight ends who can provide it. But if that means more 12-personnel, Alabama's play-calling could be restricted and easier for opposing defenses to decipher. And obviously, against ECU and Kentucky, if Alabama struggles to run the ball, particularly in 12 personnel, more serious problems lie ahead.
At least in the first two games, playing clean, efficient football would be better than hit-and-miss flashes of brilliance. And the winning margin should not matter.
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