Get the running game working. The Alabama defense will still be great, and the passing game will be outstanding under the new coaching staff. But under Kalen DeBoer the Washington rushing attack only averaged 4.3 yards per carry last year.
The team failed to get past 4.4 yards per game in 11 games, and it dealt with close games in eight of them and a ninth was the national title loss to Michigan.
Alabama struggled a bit too much on the ground - like Washington, it only averaged 4.3 yards per carry, too, and failed to get past 4.4 yards per carry nine times.
Basically, the O has to run better.
Alabama Key Player
Domani Jackson, CB Jr. The Crimson Tide will figure it out in time, but the corners are more than just a little bit thin.
It’s not a positive to need true freshmen - even at Alabama - but that’s what the team will have to do. That puts even more pressure on the older guy, a junior transfer from USC.
Jackson was okay last year for the Trojans with 33 tackles and three broken up passes, but he’ll have to be a playmaker right away for the Tide.
Alabama Football Top Transfer, Biggest Transfer Loss
Top Transfer In: Germie Bernard, WR Jr. Can the Tide crank up the receivers like Washington did? The young talent is in place to do something big, but they need a veteran to step in and star as a possible No. 1 guy.
Bernard started his career at Michigan State with one year in East Lansing before going to Washington. He caught 34 passes for 419 yards and two scores, and he ran for two touchdowns. The numbers need to go through the roof.
Top Transfer Out: Caleb Downs, S Soph.
The superstar recruit couldn’t really be THAT good right away, could he?
Yeah, he’s special.
Downs led the team with 107 tackles with two picks and four broken up passes, and now he’ll be one of the best players on an Ohio State team beyond loaded with great NFL prospects.
Alabama Key Game
at Tennessee, Oct. 19 Of course, Alabama has to beat everyone. And of course, Alabama expects to beat everyone. But the date at Tennessee is a nice mix of things that matter to the Tide fans, and are a big deal to how Bama coaches are viewed.
The Auburn game is existential, taking down LSU on the road matters, the trip to Oklahoma will care to the rest of the world, and the dates at Wisconsin and at home against Georgia are a big deal.
Beating Tennessee in the middle of the season on the road is one of those wins that would show everything is okay.
10 Best Alabama Football Players
1. Jalen Milroe, QB Jr. 2. Tyler Booker, OG Jr. 3. Deontae Lawson, LB Sr. 4. Parker Brailsford, C Soph. 5. Jihaad Campbell, LB Jr. 6. Malachi Moore, S Sr. 7. Tim Keenan, NT Jr. 8. Jaeden Roberts, OG Jr. 9. Keon Sabb, S Sr. 10. Germie Bernard, WR Jr. James Burnip, P Sr.
Alabama 2023 Fun Stats
- Rushing TDs: Alabama 32, Opponents 15
- 3rd Quarter Scoring: Alabama 120, Opponents 51
- 4th Down Conversions: Alabama 5-of-7 (71%), Opponents 11-of-27 (41%)
Alabama Football 2024 Win Total Prediction: What to Expect This Season
Again, of course Alabama will take a wee step back, because it has to. And again, it doesn’t matter in an expanded College Football Playoff era.
Bama is one of those teams that just has to get in the door. Invite it to the party, and there’s a chance it goes home with your date.
Not having to play Texas or Ole Miss matters, and it’s never a bad thing to miss Texas A&M on the schedule, but at Tennessee, at LSU, at Oklahoma - that’s panic room stuff for just about anyone else.
Throw in a trip to Wisconsin, home games against Missouri, some Georgia team, and the Iron Bowl against Auburn which really and truly defies all logic and reason, and the word you’re looking for is … YEEEEEEEEEESH.
Even so …
DeBoer will be fine, Alabama will be fine, and the program will be fine. It’ll get into the expanded College Football Playoff. Don’t ask, and don’t care about how.
Set The Alabama Win Total At … 9
Likely Wins: Mercer, USF, at Vanderbilt, WKU
50/50 Games: Auburn, Georgia, at LSU, Missouri, at Oklahoma, South Carolina, at Tennessee, at Wisconsin
Likely Losses: No apparent sure-thing losses
2024 Alabama Football Schedule
Aug 31 WKU Sept 7 USF Sept 14 at Wisconsin Sept 21 OPEN DATE Sept 28 Georgia Oct 5 at Vanderbilt Oct 12 South Carolina Oct 19 at Tennessee Oct 26 Missouri Nov 2 OPEN DATE Nov 9 at LSU Nov 16 Mercer Nov 23 at Oklahoma Nov 30 Auburn
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