Alabama preview: Can the Tide go back-to-back?
The Crimson Tide lost heaps of production from the 2020 title team. Can Alabama fill the holes on offense and repeat in 2021?
By: Dave in Tuscaloosa
Pictures like these have become commonplace in Tuscaloosa. Will we see Sir Nick hoist #8 this year? (Photo: Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports)
As the offseason draws to a conclusion and excitement builds for the 2021 campaign, we’re hoping this season resembles a sense of normalcy that helps the nation continue to deal with, and move forward from, the COVID-19 pandemic. Alabama Crimson Tide football fans are hoping for their own sense of normalcy as well: another championship.
Coming off an epic 2020 season that saw Alabama claim the SEC and national championships, as well as a plethora of individual awards, the 2021 version of the Crimson Tide is looking for leadership and a hunger that will allow them to repeat as champions. As anyone who has won a championship knows, repeating is hard. In fact, during Coach Nick Saban’s legendary run of national titles, his Crimson Tide have only repeated once, in 2012. That Bama team was loaded and cruised to a 13-1 record that culminated in a 42-14 title game victory over Bryan Kelly and his undefeated Notre Dame squad. This time around, Alabama will have to fill giant holes, especially on offense and in the coaching ranks. Five of the ten coaches on staff during 2020 find themselves elsewhere, yet their replacements appear to be fitting in well to the Crimson Tide culture.
Yet, these days there always seems to be good news coming out of Tuscaloosa, and this version of the Tide might be young and inexperienced (in areas), however, the talent level is extremely deep. So far, the reports from spring practice and fall camp have been positive. Coach Saban has commented numerous times throughout the last few months about how well the team is progressing and how leaders are emerging. Add the fact that the team enters preparation week for the opener healthy and hungry, could another dominating season be in the cards?
The 2020 Bama offensive juggernaut was one for the ages, and while the goal of dominance on that side of the football remains, the 2021 version will look quite different. Gone are offensive impact players Mac Jones, Najee Harris, Jaylen Waddle, DeVonta Smith, Miller Forristall, Alex Leatherwood, Deonte Brown, and Landon Dickerson. Top talent is still in the ranks, and the early reports on sophomore quarterback Bryce Young have been overwhelmingly positive. As stated in a Biscuits & SEC column at the end of last season, Young reminds Bama insiders of a right-handed Tua...not too shabby indeed. The tailback position looks deep with the return of senior Bryan Robinson Jr. and sophomores Jase McClennan, Roydell Williams, and Trey Sanders, who appears to be close to full speed after an injury-plagued Bama career sidelined him for the first two years of his career. Throw in the top tailback recruit in the nation in Camar Wheaton, and all should be well in the offensive backfield.
Former 5-star RB Trey Sanders is finally healthy and should be a big factor in replacing Najee Harris (Photo: The Tuscaloosa News/USA TODAY Sports)
The Tide return three starters from last season’s dominating line (Emil Ekiyor, Evan Neal, and Chris Owens), a tight end (Jahleel Billingsley, who Saban has called out recently about needing to pick up his production in preseason practice), and two impact receivers (John Metchie and underrated Slade Bolden). Junior placekicker Will Reichard, who was a perfect 14 for 14 on field goals in 2020, returns as well. Taking Steve Sarkisian’s spot as offensive coordinator is former Houston Texans and Penn State head coach Bill O’Brien. Former Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone takes over the offensive line. Freshmen of note that may soon become household names include receiver Agiye Hall and highly touted linemen JC Latham and brothers Tommy and James Brockermeyer. Add into the mix sophomore receiver Traeshon Holden and Ohio State transfer Jameson Williams, the only thing the Tide offense lacks is experience. Word has it that O’Brien will be keeping much of Sarkisian’s system in place, thus limiting the adjustment for players that have been in the program. It will be fun to see how the unit progresses throughout the season.
Until the offense comes of age, a veteran and talented defense may have to lead the way. Last year, the Tide defense, relatively speaking, struggled giving up the most points per game on average during the Saban era. Yet the 2021 version has received rave reviews during fall camp and looks to return to the dominant years of old. The Tide return 10 starters, including sophomore terror Will Anderson as well as experienced linebackers Christopher Allen, Christian Harris, and Shane Lee. Add one of the top transfers in the country in sophomore former Tennessee Vol Henry To’o To’o, the linebacking unit resembles those of Crimson Tide lore. The defensive line is in good shape as the unit returns impact players DJ Dale, Justin Eboigbe, Phidarian Mathis, and LaBryan Ray. In the secondary, a year's experience will do wonders for Josh Jobe, Daniel Wright, Brian Branch, Jordan Battle, Demarco Hellams, and Malachi Moore. Look for this unit to be the most improved position group in 2021.
The Tide’s biggest challenge may be its schedule, as an opener in Atlanta against a veteran Miami Hurricanes team on September 4th will challenge the defending national champions right from the start. Road contests against pre-season top ten SEC foes Florida (September 18th) and Texas A&M (October 9th) could push the Tide, as well as the annual end of the year tussle on November 27th that will see Bama travel to the Plains, where they have not won since 2015, to take on an Auburn team that could be dangerous. Watch out for home challenges against a sneaky good Ole Miss squad (October 2), and an LSU team that could be very strong (November 6th). It is conceivable that the 2021 Crimson Tide might actually drop one or two along the way, and if they make it to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game, they would most likely face a Georgia Bulldogs squad that is deep, talented and primed for a breakthrough season.
Photo: Alabama Athletics
Despite the personnel losses, Alabama starts the season as the top-ranked team in the nation, a testament to the level of excellence that this program has achieved. If the Tide is to survive the gauntlet starting with Miami, this will be yet another season for the ages. Alabama fans are anxious to see what is in store for this year and look forward to the fact that they may actually have to watch the majority of games to the end to know the outcome. Nevertheless, even with a loss or two, Alabama is Alabama, and this version will no doubt get better throughout the season. Could the Tide end the season exactly where it is starting...on top? Like it or not, wise fans know that with Sir Nick at the helm, Bama finishing on top is always a possibility.