Early Season Showdown or Beatdown?
Best of luck trying to stop this man, Texas. Photo via Getty Images.
The last time Steve Sarkisian and Nick Saban were on a football field together, Alabama had just rolled Ohio State for the 2020 national title. Coach Sark had spent two seasons on Saban’s staff and continued Tide offensive dominance that has become a staple of the program. At the conclusion of the ‘20 title game, Coach Sark was off to Austin to attempt to jumpstart the sagging fortunes of the Texas Longhorn program. On Saturday, the two will be on the same field once again when Sark’s 22nd ranked Longhorns host Saban’s top ranked Crimson Tide in an early season non-conference showdown at noon EST.
Both teams are coming off opening day routs of overmatched opponents as Bama shut down Utah State 55-0 and Texas dismantled the University of Louisiana-Monroe, 52-10. The Longhorns are coming off a 5-7 campaign in Sark’s first season at the helm in ‘21, yet enter Saturday’s contest with momentum as expectations are high this season in Austin. Led by Ohio State quarterback transfer and former top recruit Quinn Ewers, and one of the best tailbacks in the country in junior Bijon Robinson (1,127 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2021), Texas is hoping to make huge strides in ‘22. In his first start last Saturday, Ewers had a good outing, completing 16 of 24 passes for 225 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. Throughout the game, Ewers completed passes to nine different receivers. Robinson gained a total of 111 yards and scored a touchdown on the ground and one through the air as well. Sophomore tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders led the ‘Horns in receiving, catching 6 passes for 85 yards and a touchdown. Overall, the Texas offense performed well and gained a total of 383 yards. Defensively, Texas struggled in ‘21, particularly their secondary, and are looking to show great improvement this season. The unit also got off to a positive start, holding UL-Monroe to 259 total yards. The defense was led by linebackers DeMarvion Overshown (8 tackles against ULM) and Barryn Sorrell (6 tackles, 1.5 sacks).
In Alabama’s beatdown of the Utah State Aggies, junior quarterback Bryce Young led the way completing 18 of 28 passes for 195 yards and tied a career high with 5 touchdown passes. He also was the game’s leading rusher, gaining 100 yards on 6 carries and a touchdown. Junior Traeshon Holden was the Tide’s leading receiver, snagging 5 passes for 70 yards and 2 touchdowns. In all, Young completed passes to 11 different receivers. Defensively, the Tide earned its first shutout of the season by limiting the explosive Aggies to a total of 136 yards. All aspects of the Tide defense looked solid and they will be looking to continue their momentum against a potentially dangerous Longhorn offense.
Steve Sarkisian has downplayed Saturday’s tussle with Alabama, stating that this game will not necessarily define his program. Still, this contest has been circled on the Longhorn faithful’s calendar for over a year and with College Gameday coming to town, the atmosphere will be electric in Austin. Sark’s familiarity with Saban and the Tide could help make this game a good one.
Here’s saying that it will not be. With Young, a stable of four capable backs, and a solid receiving corps, Alabama should be able to score against the improved Texas defense often, putting pressure on Ewers, Robinson, and the Longhorn offense to keep up. Texas currently starts two freshmen on a rebuilt offensive line (Ewers was sacked three times by ULM), which could be a problem against Will Anderson (side note: when Sark was at Alabama, he gave Anderson the nickname “Terminator”), Dallas Turner, and the stout Bama front seven. Texas’ offense will need to control the ball and ultimately score points consistently to keep up with the Tide’s powerful offense as well as to keep the home crowd involved. Look for Texas to feed off the atmosphere and start strong, yet as the game progresses, Bama’s talent and experience will take over. Freshman Ewers will have his moments and the future looks bright for the Burnt Orange, however after a tight first quarter, Alabama will settle in and begin to assert themselves as the top ranked team in the country. By the second half, the Tide will be rolling towards a 2-0 start.
Alabama 40
Texas 16