A spike in Coronavirus cases at LSU will keep it from playing against Alabama, but is it too late for the Crimson Tide to possibly schedule another team for this weekend?
This is a question that has sparked a little conversation.
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Although it is highly unlikely for Alabama to find a suitor for Saturday, there are three teams that could work for the Tide — if the Southeastern Conference allows for it to happen. Those three schools are Brigham Young University (BYU), Oklahoma State and Ohio State. Speculation started over the summer on the possibility of Alabama playing BYU to begin its season.
The reason for this occurring was the Pac-12’s initial decision to cancel its season, due to COVID concerns, and it led to the University of Southern California (USC) not being able to play the Tide. Since then, everyone agreed to conference-only schedules and BYU is currently undefeated. The Cougars are No. 8 in the nation at 8-0 and have a scoring offense (45.3 ppg) and scoring defense (13.9 ppg allowed) both ranked in the top-10. Zach Wilson, junior quarterback, is in the thick of the Heisman race and Todd McShay (NFL Draft expert) has him as one of his five signal callers to be taken in the first round.
Wilson has 30 total touchdowns. The Cougars are off this week.
Oklahoma State, who is ranked at No. 14 in the nation, would be an intriguing matchup for Alabama.
Despite its offense not being as potent as BYU’s, a contest between Najee Harris and Chubba Hubbard would be something special for fans to behold. Both running backs are projected as high draft picks for 2021, and both players are in the picture to win the Doak Walker Award. Also, one cannot count neither back out of the Heisman race. The Cowboys are 5-1 on the season and defensively, Mike Gundy’s group is allowing just 17.8 points per game. Oklahoma State is resting this week too.
Ohio State stands as the one matchup for Alabama that everyone would be all in on.
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With a spike in COVID cases at Maryland, the game between the Buckeyes and Terrapins has been cancelled.
Ohio State is 3-0 under Ryan Day and chimes in at No. 3 in the country. It would be a battle that featured two Heisman hopefuls at quarterback — Mac Jones versus Justin Fields — and two players that are high on NFL Draft boards.
Day and Nick Saban are two of the most premiere head coaches in the sport, while Day and Steve Sarkisian (Alabama’s offensive coordinator) are two of the best offensive minds in college football. Television stations, including ESPN and ABC, would compete for the responsibility to air the contest and ratings for the game would be epic. Alabama and Ohio State are two story-filled programs with much history and pride. Along with this, Saban owes the Buckeyes for a loss he took in 2015.
The Tide suffered a 35-42 defeat at the hands of Ohio State in the first-ever College Football Playoff semifinal matchup at the Allstate Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, La. For the Buckeyes, it would bring in the nation’s No. 4 scoring offense (46.3 ppg).
Ohio State allows 23 points/game on defense.
Even Adam Rittenberg of ESPN would love to see an Alabama-Ohio State meeting.
Ohio State-Alabama this week? Anyone?
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) November 11, 2020
Once again, it is unlikely that Alabama will find a suitor to replace LSU on short notice. But, it is something to think about.
Coach Saban and company are using this week to practice for Kentucky as its next opponent.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
