Undefeated yet again, the Alabama Crimson Tide is rolling over everyone it has played this season. Sophomore phenom Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa leads the team, who so far has thrown for 3189 yards, 36 touchdowns and only two interceptions.
The Heisman front runner first emerged on the scene in the second half of last season’s national championship game against Georgia, replacing the starter Jalen Hurts. Tua led a second half comeback to win in an overtime thriller 26-23. In that game, he went 14/24 passing with 166 yards and three touchdowns, including the game winner in overtime.
This season, it seems that no one can stop or even slow down Tagovailoa. Even archrival Louisiana State University couldn’t slow him down in Death Valley. The Crimson Tide as a team has averaged 49 points a game, along with averaging 332.1 passing yards a game. Seemingly unstoppable.
While Tagovailoa’s name has been spreading throughout the football scene, one can’t ignore how he’s had some assistance. Bama has a young and exciting receiving corps, led by sophomore Jerry Judy, who has 56 receptions, 1079 yards and 11 touchdowns. True freshman Jaylen Waddle and sophomore Henry Ruggs III also account for a huge chunk of Alabama’s passing game. The Tide is deep and set for many seasons to come at the wide receiver position.
Not only do opponents have to watch out for an air assault by the Bama offense, they have to account for the Tide’s run game as well. With four outstanding running backs and two dual threat quarterbacks that all could start and be a dominant player at another school, opposing defenses have their hands full.
Leading the way for the Tide on the ground is senior Damien Harris with 117 rushing attempts for 719 yards and seven touchdowns. Sophomore Najee Harris has 644 yards on 98 carries and four touchdowns, while junior Josh Jacobs and sophomore Brian Robinson Jr. are Bama’s other two backs who have combined for 149 rushes with 684 yards and ten scores. Having this many effective running backs leaves Coach Nick Saban with a lot of options on the ground.
Lastly, the defense. Alabama’s defense has been a sight to behold all year long, only allowing an average 12.7 points a game. With a strong secondary shutting down opponents passing game and a strong defensive line, offenses have had little success to move the ball on this team. There are simply no weaknesses on this defense.
Deep at just about every position on the field is also what makes Bama a force to be reckoned with in the college football world every year. This team has guys who are back ups at Alabama that could probably start and be a great player at any other power five conference in the country.
It may seem that Tua is the big star on this team, but he has had a lot of help around him that had built up to his success. He has weapons all over the field, to say the least. What Alabama has is a coach’s dream, but a nightmare to play and coach against, with no weaknesses anywhere on the field. They have what some say to be the best Bama team to go through the university. Considering the rich history at that program, Tua and the Alabama Crimson Tide may not be challenged at all this year, and could possibly just have the championship handed to them. The only team that can stop them at this point would be the Clemson Tigers. The Tide are rolling yet again.
