At this point in the week everyone and their dog knows that all eyes will be on backup quarterback Mac Jones. Whenever you have an injury at a position as important as quarterback whoever is filling in will be expected to step up and answer the bell. But football is a team sport and one can not throw all their faith in a second string quarterback to put the team on his back.
It’s not realistic.
Against Arkansas today, Alabama will need to look to multiple players/units to go the extra mile today. Give a little more, play a little harder whatever it takes to make it out 8-0. Here are just a few who should be expected to meet these challenges.
Terrell Lewis and Anfernee Jennings
It took a couple of weeks but Alabama has finally gotten both of them on the field together. And the results speak for themselves. In just two games back Lewis now leads the SEC in sacks (6) with Jennings coming in at the five spot(4). Their recent success will need to at least carry over to today’s game if not exceed it. Getting pressure on quarterback Nick Starkel or Ben Hicks will be key, especially on third down. The Crimson Tide offense will benefit from having multiple cracks at scoring drives and the best way to do that is to get the opposing offense off the field on third down.
Najee Harris and the offensive line
Both have seemed to have found their groove as Harris has eclipsed 100 rushing yards in back to back games thanks the offensive lines physical run game. The line has seemed to greatly benefit in the run game after moving Landon Dickerson to center along with the return of Deonte Brown. But it can not be understated how well the unit has been playing. Along with Brown and Dickerson adding more physicality up the middle, left tackle Alex Leatherwood was just named SEC offensive lineman of the week, right tackle Jedrick Wills is getting some first round pick buzz and freshman Evan Neal has been named to the Midseason Freshman All-American watch list.
Expect Harris to have an impact running routes out of the backfield as well. On the season Harris has caught 16 passes for 171 yards and four touchdowns. His short routes of the backfield will be key to Jones getting some confidence and also a good way to bait the defense into crowding the box so Jones will be able to take a deep shot.
Christian Harris and Shane Lee
The other duo to be named to the Midseason Freshman All-American watch list, Harris and Lee have shown steady improvement throughout the season. But both are still prone to some freshman mistakes which will need to be significantly negated during today’s game. If the offense struggles to put together scoring drives, it will be on the defense to make something happen. It will also be on Harris and Lee to play the run game much better. Last week Tennessee had one too many long runs into Alabama territory which better team would have taken advantage of these plays. Today the defense will be tasked with stopping running back Rakeem Boyd who averages 5.5 yards per carry on the season. In order to ensure a victory the defense will need to stop the run game from keep drives alive and it starts with the guys in the middle.
Ty Perine
Last week the legend of Ty Perine was born as Alabama has seemed to have solved their punting issue. Averaging 46.5 yards per punt, Perine will need a repeat performance today and could even be the difference in the game. Nothing is more difficult than driving 75 plus yards especially on the road and Perine has showed the ability to do so. The freshman’s punts can also have a significant impact on the defense giving them more field to work with and also to get the crowd involved in the game. Because everyone knows the best way to get the crowd going is to kick a 50 yard bomb
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
