It was dubbed the ‘greatest season opener ever’, and it certainly felt like it. Both teams played with a physicality you typically do not see until the post season. Nothing embodied that more than the personal foul call on both teams with just over a minute left – in a 17 point game. Both teams wanted to win, both teams poured their souls onto the field, but the poor play of the Florida State offensive line and self-destructing special teams ultimately helped the Tide take the lead.
Jalen Hurts’ 53-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Ridley early in the game was the last time they’d find the endzone until late in the third quarter. In all, Hurts had less than 100 yards passing and just one touchdown. Between Jalen, Damien, Najee, and Bo, they also only managed just 173 yards on the ground.
Defensively, though, Alabama found a way to click. They shut out the Seminoles’ offense in the second half, holding them to just 250 total yards. And despite losing a plethora of defensive front talent to the NFL, they held Jimbo Fisher’s squad to just 40 yards rushing on the night. While there were a few cases of busted coverage, the Alabama secondary looked as nasty as everyone expected it to look.
The usual suspects looked good. Minkah Fitzpatrick was solid throughout the night outside of the fade route touchdown in the first quarter. Anthony Averett, Tony Brown, and Ronnie Harrison were as brutally physical as ever. There were also a few new contributors that aided the Crimson Tide in victory. Cornerback, Levi Wallace, and linebacker, Mack Wilson, made a pair of game changing plays. Levi Wallace baited Francois into throwing an interception late in the game, as was then highlighted by the broadcast team.
Mack Wilson – who stepped in for an injured Rashaan Evans – also made an athletic leaping pick after tracking the football the whole way:
https://twitter.com/BeeNewsDaily/status/904177310588391425
The #Alabama D on FSU last 11 possessions:
👇
PUNT
PUNT
PUNT
FG Block
PUNT
PUNT
PUNT Block
FUMBLE
INT
INT
PUNT👀 #OutworkYesterday #RollTide
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) September 3, 2017
The defense’s strong effort highlighted what was an otherwise ugly game. Brian Daboll has his work cut out for him as far the offense goes, and it remains to be seen if he can truly help Jalen take his game to the next level. He and the rest of the team are in luck, though, because they now have two home games against non-conference opponents that should not be much of a challenge. Because of the physicality the two teams played with, both suffered injuries. Look for Nick Saban to use the next two weeks to rest any ailing players to prepare them for the long road ahead.
As talented as they are, if the offense finds a rhythm the Tide will be hard to stop. Alabama fans may just be in store for yet another title run.
Let us know what your thoughts on the game were in the comments section below.
