Alabama starts the season with some unanswered questions...
This writer has great faith in Alabama coaching. I don't have great faith in a pair of freshman linebackers who will receive chapter 1 of a baptism under fire. Still, Alabama will beat Duke. David Cutcliff is one heck of a quarterback coach. He took a program which no one could ever find a way to win and started to win. I can envision the Duke coach in his office picking out plays that will expose the lack of experience 'Bama has at middle linebacker. Beating Duke is one thing. Beating LSU or Texas A&M is an altogether matter.
Shane Lee and Christian Harris
Shane Lee and Christian Harris will begin their college careers at the school that is the gold standard for college football. That is a big deal. The coaches will have the pair as ready as possible. I'd bet the pair will have eyes as wide as the football field where the game will be played. I'd bet the pair will play as well as they can. It won't be as well as they will play in the future. How big is the loss of Moses? Imagine Tua going down and how that would effect the offense. Moses was the quarterback of the defense. You can't coach experience. You have to play long enough to become experienced. Both players are doing something that Dylan Moses couldn't do. The freshmen won't be perfect, but they will have their moments.
The Offense
If the defense has its problems, it seems the offense seems ready to roll. The offense can give the defense some breathing room. Can Alabama outscore every team they play? My bet is they sure can. The first and second team running backs are in Saban purgatory and will miss the first half of the game. Jerome Ford is likely going to get the nod to start. Reports from practices have been very positive. The Tide offensive line has been experimenting to find the best five. I'd call it fine tuning. If Alabama gets some good play at tight end, the offensive line might be a memorable unit in Tide history. I personal belief is Alabama can score early, often, and late to put up 50 points. Saban might not want to embarrass his rival coach. That might be the best defense that Duke brings to the field.
A glamour game?
No, not really. But is their a method to Saban's madness is scheduling the contest. I think Saban would love to build up an ACC team to give Clemson a tough weekend in the future. No detail is to small for Bama's head coach to address. This isn't a stellar match up for Alabama. It is for Duke, and I'd expect the Blue Devils to come fired up and ready to play.
The Offense
If the defense has its problems, it seems the offense seems ready to roll. The offense can give the defense some breathing room. Can Alabama outscore every team they play? My bet is they sure can. The first and second team running backs are in Saban purgatory and will miss the first half of the game. Jerome Ford is likely going to get the nod to start. Reports from practices have been very positive. The Tide offensive line has been experimenting to find the best five. I'd call it fine tuning. If Alabama gets some good play at tight end, the offensive line might be a memorable unit in Tide history. I personal belief is Alabama can score early, often, and late to put up 50 points. Saban might not want to embarrass his rival coach. That might be the best defense that Duke brings to the field.
A glamour game?
No, not really. But is their a method to Saban's madness is scheduling the contest. I think Saban would love to build up an ACC team to give Clemson a tough weekend in the future. No detail is to small for Bama's head coach to address. This isn't a stellar match up for Alabama. It is for Duke, and I'd expect the Blue Devils to come fired up and ready to play.
