Alabama and Georgia will be a matchup of two physical titans exchanging blows.
Creativity from the offensive and defensive coordinators on both sides will be significant, but everything comes down to the individuals in the trenches. Special teams is going to play a role in Saturday’s meeting on Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Both schools have an elite punter and the return game should be a factor.
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Kalen DeBoer listed off the Crimson Tide’s options for punt return in Wednesday’s “Hey Coach” show.
He said Alabama will have punt returners “by committee,” as Jaylen Mbakwe, Ryan Williams, Germie Bernard, and Cole Adams have shown they can handle the responsibility. Adams, a redshirt freshman, earned the starting nod at the role. The second-year wide receiver has potential, but suffered an arm injury against South Florida.
He is now off the injury report and is expected to go versus the Bulldogs. Mbakwe, a true freshman, took over for Adams since the injury. Williams and Bernard are also electric with the ball in their hands. It will be interesting to see if the Tide can generate some moments for field position versus Georgia.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
