This is the depth chart provided by Saban, time will tell if it stays this way. (Photo-TouchdownAlabma.net)

Alabama Reveals Depth Chart for Opener

By : Larry Burton

Though it’s something he hates to do, Nick Saban has released the depth chart for Saturday’s game and all that mean is that there is a list given to the media and he reserves the right to change it right up until kickoff.

The big news in all of this however is that apparently the starting job for quarterback is coming down to two men, Cooper Bateman and Blake Barnett with Jalen Hurts listed as third. I was never convinced Saban would start a freshman at this important position as it just goes against everything Nick Saban has ever done and has ever believed in. The job is apparently Bateman’s to lose which is what he did against Ole Miss last season. Expect to see both Bateman and Barnett in the first game.

I expect Bateman to start and Barnett to win the job. I’ve said this since before spring ball and I’m still riding that horse until I see otherwise. Barnett simply has a much greater upside and if he can hold down mistakes, the job will be his. That is unless Bateman plays mistake proof ball himself and piles up yardage and points.

I also differ with the second team center. Should Bozeman go down or struggle, look for Pierschbacher to move over from his guard slot, but this is the depth chart we have been given and if history is any indication, things may differ as the season goes on.

Offense

LT: 1. Cam Robinson  2.Matt Womack

LG: 1. Lester Cotton  2.Dallas Warmack  3.Brandon Kennedy

C: 1. Bradley Bozeman 2. J.C. Hassenauer 3. Josh Casher

RG: 1. Ross Pierschbacher  2.Alphonse Taylor  3.Brandon Kennedy

RT: 1.Jonah Williams 2.Korren Kirven

WR (X): 1.Robert Foster or Calvin Ridley 2.Raheem Falkins

WR (H): 1.Calvin Ridley 2.Gehrig Dieter or Cam Sims 3.Xavian Marks

WR (Z): 1.ArDarius Stewart 2.Cam Sims 3.Derek Kief 4.T.J. Simmons

TE: 1.O.J. Howard 2.Miller Forristall or Irv Smith Jr.

TE: 1. Hale Hentges  2.Brandon Greene

RB: (Runs in packages) 1.Bo Scarbrough shares with Damien Harris, 2. B.J. Emmons shares with Joshua Jacobs

QB: 1.Cooper Bateman  2.Blake Barnett   3.Jalen Hurts

Defense

DE: 1.Jonathan Allen  2.Da’Shawn Hand

NT: 1. Da’Ron Payne  2.Joshua Frazier

DE: Dalvin Tomlinson, Dakota Ball

OLB: 1.Tim Williams 2.Anfernee Jennings or Terrell Hall

OLB: 1. Ryan Anderson  2.Christian Miller orJamey Mosley

MLB: 1. Reuben Foster 2.Rashaan Evans 3.Mack Wilson

MLB: 1.Shaun Dion Hamilton 2.Keith Holcombe

Star: 1.Minkah Fitzpatrick 2.Shyheim Carter

CB: 1.Marlon Humphrey 2.Anthony Averett

CB: 1.Minkah Fitzpatrick 2.Shyheim Carter

SS: 1.Eddie Jackson 2.Hootie Jones

FS: 1.Ronnie Harrison 2.Deionte Thompson

SPECIAL TEAMS

PK / KO – 1.Adam Griffith  2.Andy Pappanastos

HOLD – Cooper Bateman 2.JK Scott

P – JK Scott

SN – Cole Mazza

PR – 1. Calvin Ridley 2. Trevon Diggs

KOR – (two returners start together) 1. ArDarius Stewart and Trevon Diggs  2. Xavian Marks  and Gehrig Dieter

Larry has been published in almost every media outlet for college sports and now primarily writes here for Touchdown Alabama. Follow Larry on Twitter for inside thoughts and game time comments at https://twitter.com/LBSportswriter

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