Can Alabama play elite defense again?
If Nick Saban's Crimson Tide are going to surge back into the SEC Championship and playoff picture after losing Bryce Young, it's going to require an old school Bama defense.
I’ve written a lot on Alabama’s offense this offseason. I wrote about:
-Their prospects for replacing Young with Jalen Milroe.
-The fit with new transfer Tyler Buchner in new offensive coordinator Tommy Rees’ offense.
-The importance of incoming JUCO wideout Malik Benson.
I’ve also offered an article which mentions the importance of Alabama nose tackle Jaheim Oatis to their chances of matching the traditional Tide formula for playing elite defense.
The defensive side of the equation really needs more attention. Ever since 2017, their last season to play truly great defense, Alabama’s success has been primarily about offense. Don’t get me wrong, they haven’t been bad on defense, but they have been powered more by offense and their National Championship in 2020 was certainly all about Mac Jones and Devonta Smith, not their defense.
Against Tennessee last season they were downright bad on defense with a bad plan.
This coming year Alabama is not going to have an elite offense. They might be very good at running the football and approach their 2016 formula when Jalen Hurts was at the helm, but they won’t be near as potent as in 2018, 2020, or 2021. If this team has any chance at winning the SEC or making the playoffs it’s going to be due to fielding their first truly great defense since the 2017 unit.
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