Fansided
Fansided

College Football Week Three Preview: #1 Alabama vs. #19 Ole Miss

By Eric Robinson

Sep 5, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Mississippi Rebels tight end Evan Engram (17) runs with the ball against the Florida State Seminoles during the first half at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Mississippi Rebels tight end Evan Engram (17) runs with the ball against the Florida State Seminoles during the first half at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
Sep 10, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin talks with quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) and wide receiver Calvin Ridley (3) during the game against Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Tide defeated the Hilltoppers 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin talks with quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) and wide receiver Calvin Ridley (3) during the game against Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Tide defeated the Hilltoppers 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /

Why Alabama Will Win 

It’s still somewhat weird to see Saban start a true freshman at quarterback but low and behold, here we are with Jalen Hurts getting the start on the road. So far, the dual-threat quarterback has been steady by hitting 61% of his passes for 405 yards and four touchdowns and rushing for another two touchdowns. His 36 pass attempts against Western Kentucky last week and completing 64% of them was an encouraging sign that Hurts is not just an athletic quarterback, but instead he’s a quarterback who so happens to have distinct athleticism.

Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Calvin Ridley (3) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Michigan State Spartans in the third quarter in the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Calvin Ridley (3) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Michigan State Spartans in the third quarter in the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

Running back Damien Harris (183 yards, 0 TDs) is the leader in the backfield and we’re still waiting on backup Bo Scarborough (55 yards, 2 TDs) to take the reins in what many called a breakout season for the 228 pound sculpted runner.

Hurts has the luxury of leaning on arguably the best receiver in the SEC in Calvin Ridley (11 catches, 138 yards, TD) and an underrated playmaker in ArDarius Stewart (9 catches, 203 yards, 3 TDs) in passing game while having massive bodyguards in front of him in left tackle Cam Robinson (6’6 310 lbs), left guard Lester Cotton (6’4 319) and center Bradley Bozeman (6’5 319).

The defense is tough as usual in Tuscaloosa with the unit being sixth in overall defense (216.5 ypg), eighth in scoring defense (8.0 ppg), 14th in opponent first downs (23) and allowing only 29% conversion rate on third down. The strength of the defense is their front seven with linebacker Rueben Foster (10 tackles, one tackle for loss), outside linebacker Ryan Anderson (eight tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks) and defensive end Jonathan Allen (seven tackles, three tackles for loss, three sacks).

A ballhawk safety on the back-end in Eddie Jackson (six tackles, one INT, one INT for TD, two pass breakups) makes life easier for corners Minkah Fitzpatrick (11 tackles, three pass breakups) and Marlon Humphrey (four tackles, one INT, one INT for TD).

Next: Why Ole Miss Will Win

Home/College Football