Campus Clash
(1) Alabama Crimson Tide at (14) Miami Hurricanes
Alabama: Tell me if you’ve heard this before. The Alabama Crimson Tide are the defending national champions. Nick Saban won his sixth title with the Tide and continues to prove why he’s the best coach in the country. Here’s the thing about them. They will never “rebuild”. I refer to them as the New York Yankees of college football because they will just reload and most of the time, it works in their favor. Last season, they had a nice trio offensively. Everything started with Mac Jones. Give him time, the offensive weapons and the quarterback was able to flourish. Next was DeVonta Smith who put together the best season I’ve ever seen from a wide receiver in college football and was named the Heisman. Lastly, you can’t forget Najee Harris. All three of those guys are now playing professionally. With this team, I don’t see them struggling much this year. Bill O’Brien is the new offensive coordinator in Tuscaloosa and inherits a new quarterback named Bryce Young, a young but talented group of receivers and a defense that could be even better in the fall. They open their season in Atlanta against another legendary program.
Miami: Ever since that magical season in 2017, they’ve struggled to remain consistent. The pieces are there for them to make noise in their division. Putting it all together has been the issue. One of the biggest wins for Manny Diaz and the Miami Hurricanes had this off-season was D’Eriq King returning to the team. I was able to watch a few of his games last year and I was impressed. He has great pocket awareness and he scans the entire field out. I noticed that he wants to throw the ball first then when plays break down, he uses his mobility to get some yards with his legs. I’m as curious as you are to see how healthy he is. He’s coming off a torn ACL. The Hurricanes offense had no problem pushing the football up the field last year. They averaged 440 yards and 34 points per game. However, that production came against many mediocre opponents. The defense will be without Gregory Rousseau and Jaelan Phillips. While the defensive line should be strong again, the group of linebackers might be a concern and the secondary should be ready to rock and roll when all are on the same page. They will kick it all off in the A-T-L against the defending champs.
Alabama X-Factor: John Metchie III– He was overshadowed by Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith. Now, he’s the top wide receiver for the Crimson Tide. John actually averaged more yards per catch than DeVonta, believe it or not. I see Bill O’Brien doing all he can in the play calling to get him the ball in different capacities.
Miami X-Factor: Charleston Rambo, Jr– Okay, Miami’s receiving core was already solid with many guys returning. Charleston brings more flash to the mix. He’s transferring over from Oklahoma and looks to have a bigger role within the offense. Hopefully he and King can build up a nice chemistry together.
Final Thoughts: What a way to start up the season! Two legendary programs are set to square off. This will be their first meeting since 1993. Talk about a throwback game (hence the title). Miami will need to attack the Alabama offensive line because they will have a few inexperienced guys starting. Offensively, I’d make the Tide’s defense spread out. If King can use his mobility, attack early with that. The Crimson Tide tends to struggle with limiting mobile quarterbacks (go back and watch the title game they lost to Clemson). For Bama, let the game come to Bryce Young. Most importantly, he needs to be himself. Duplicating what Mac did last year takes away from your game. It’s your time young man.
Prediction: Alabama 37 Miami 20
