#1 Tide look to build on strong start against Mercer
Tide should roll to an easy win, but valuable playing time awaits Bama depth chart.
By: Dave in Tuscaloosa
Cameron Latu emerged as a weapon for Bryce Young in week 1 as the Tide trounced Miami (Photo: Michael Wade, Getty Images)
The top-ranked Crimson Tide, fresh from a 44-13 beatdown of #14 Miami, welcomes Southern Conference contender Mercer to Bryant Denny Stadium this Saturday at 4:00 ET. The Tide will shoot for its 70th straight home win (and 99 overall) over a non-ranked team, a streak that stretches back to 2007 when, in his first season as the Tide head coach, the Warhawks of Louisiana-Monroe shocked Nick Saban’s boys in crimson 21-14. Since that November day, the Tide program has reached almost legendary status in that they respect all and overlook none. Want proof? Check out Coach Saban’s message to the media yesterday (Wednesday) where he blasted his team for their lack of intensity in practice, and any doubt whether the Crimson Tide will be ready against Mercer should be answered. On the positive side for the Bears, the experience should be a tremendous one as they will get the chance to gain national exposure by playing in Tuscaloosa on the SEC Network against the top-ranked team in the nation. They’ll also head back to Macon with a hefty payday of $600,000 no matter the end result.
The Bears enter the contest outmatched, yet 1-0 after an impressive opening 69-0 win over NAIA Point University. Mercer led 42-0 at half and racked up 778 total yards on offense, which included 539 rushing yards. The rushing and point total both set school records. The Bears are coached by Drew Cronic, a former UGA Bulldog, and are led by quarterback Carter Peevy and back Tommy Pollack. Mercer runs a modern version of the old Delaware Wing-T, which utilizes numerous backs, motion, and misdirection.
Saturday will be a good opportunity for Tide starters to put the game away early and make way for their deep roster to get some reps. Bama is deep at every position and should have ample opportunity to give the youngsters valuable game experience, and a lot of it. Look for quarterback Bryce Young to get in at least a half and eventually give way to backups Paul Tyson and Jalen Milroe to get plenty of reps. All four Tide backs should get plenty of touches, as should a receiving corps that has young talent galore. Look for freshman Agiye Hall to have a big day catching passes from multiple Tide quarterbacks.
Look for young players like Kool-Aid McKinstry to get some solid PT this week. (Photo: Gary Cosby, USA TODAY Sports)
Defensively, the Tide were impressive against the ‘Canes, limiting Miami to 266 total yards. Look for the starters to hone their skills against the Bears on Saturday, and look for several youngsters to see quality playing time, especially on the outside where senior Chris Allen was lost for the season against Miami. Sophomore Drew Sanders stepped in and played well for Allen against Miami. Saturday should also give freshman outside linebacker Dallas Turner and freshman safety “Kool-Aid” McKinstry, who both have made a splash during the preseason, the opportunity to get valuable game experience.
The Tide score often and early, Mercer does enough to go home feeling good about themselves, and Alabama quickly turns their attention to next week’s road challenge against the Florida Gators.
Alabama 63
Mercer 7