3 Things That Worry Me About Alabama
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First, here’s why I’m NOT worried about the fightin’ orange laundry detergent boxes (with the caveat that we even play the game):
1. Neither team really knows how good they are. Both are deep and relatively injury free. Both have had opponents help them with bad play. And this 2026 Alabama is not a Nick Saban team – those players have moved out of the program. But Alabama is definitely more confident and comfortable in the DeBoer/Grubb/Wommack systems, and they’re executing it better.
2. The Bama offensive line is not great but they are running the offense simply, quickly, and effectively. They have lots of gimmicks but aren’t doing lots of motion. It’s a big playbook, and I think they’ve simplified some of the eye candy and are focusing on the basics. Yet with the gaudy scoreboard numbers, the Tide passing offense is only 4th in the SEC and has given up a dozen sacks – imagine those sack numbers if the guy with the ball wasn’t an athletic freak? And they’re middle of the conference pack in rushing offense – again, with an athletic freak occasionally carrying the ball.
3. At least UGA isn’t favored, and for the first time in forever. With the betting lines very close to a pick’em contest, similar metrics, and a lot of strength on strength matchups, a small but important difference between the teams is the quarterback. Not in statistical terms, or physical traits, but who has been here before and done the thing. Gunner Stockton has played Alabama twice, and been on the sideline for 2 others. He’s beaten Alabama handily, and the 3 losses in that stretch were 1 score games. So I’ll state that I do trust the signal caller in red and black more than the other guy.
Now forgive me, as I was weaned at the nipple of Larry Munson’s scratch so here’s what does worry me about visiting Tuscaloosa while the wrath of the football and weather gods descends upon us:
1. That is one opportunistic defense. They’ve scored 4 pick sixes, they’re 7th in the nation in turnover margin and 2nd in turnovers gained. The rush defense is especially good, surrendering less than 80 yards on the ground per contest – and that’s against run heavy teams like South Carolina and Kentucky. So they stop the run, score on offense, and force you to throw to play catchup. Which forces opponents into mistake. They’ve given up a lot of yards defending the pass, but again, they’ve made 8 interceptions on the year. So maybe there is a chance to take some shots, and maybe Mike Bobo has a scheme ready. Or maybe Gunner Stockton turns into Carson Beck and throws it to the wrong jersey.
2. We have to talk about Tide QB Keelon Russell. He’s averaging over 280 yards a game through the air, and 11 scores against only 2 interceptions. And his last 3 games are where most of the damage was done – 10 passing TDs, zero picks, averaging over 320 yards, and running in a score each game.
Russell can climb in the pocket and throw receivers open. Or take off and scramble over 13 yards per attempt. We’ve seen this before – go into a hostile Tuscaloosa against a 1st year starter who is very mobile, and watch them rack up points early. He likes to hold on, move up in the pocket, and throw it deep. His ability to escape or extend allows his receivers to get open, lose coverage, or find the soft spot. Georgia’s pass rush will have to maintain lane discipline, and whoever is spying on Russell will need to stretch those hammies to try and run him down.
3 . I may have poo-pooed the Alabama rushing attack above, but it’s still a dangerous set of backs. And it is very much by committee, similar to the UGA RB rotation strategy. Always able to move to the hot hand, always having fresh legs, always giving the defense different looks. The top 3 ball carriers are all averaging over 40 yards a game and basically 5 yards a carry. They got guys who will get the tough yards, and guys who can hit the homerun. It isn’t flashy, but it’s efficient, and it is putting points on the board. Our top ranked run defense will be tested frequently, and from a lot of looks to confuse them.
Call me crazy, just don’t call me late fordinner. Let us know in the comments what you’re feeling about crossing into the Central Time Zone to face the bane of Kirby Smart’s coaching record. And as always…
GO ‘DAWGS!!!
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