In the inaugural year of the College Football Playoff for Alabama under Nick Saban, a specialist was the most valuable asset in pushing the Crimson Tide into the postseason.
JK Scott became the most valuable weapon for a team that was growing on defense and finding an offensive identity under a new coordinator in Lane Kiffin. Scott averaged 48 yards per punt, which was best in the nation. He also dropped 31 of 55 punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line, which was good for 56.4 percent. Scott became a Freshman All-American and a finalist for the Ray Guy Award that season in 2014. James Burnip, a native Australian, has taken on that form for the Tide in the new 12-team CFP format this year. He has become the most critical asset for Alabama and will be huge in this playoff push under Kalen DeBoer.
Burnip has been exceptional in flipping field position, dropping 12 of his 37 attempts inside the opposition’s 20-yard line.
He is averaging 46.4 yards per punt with 14 attempts traveling 50 or more yards. Burnip’s longest punt went for 64 yards in Alabama’s 42-10 victory over Wisconsin. Scott got better for the Tide as the games increased in significance. He controlled the pace of the LSU matchup in 2014 at Tiger Stadium, averaging 48.6 yards per boot. Scott had three punts of 50 or more yards, including a 66-yarder that drove the Tigers back on its 8-yard line. He dropped two attempts inside LSU’s 20 in helping the Crimson Tide capture a 20-13 victory on the road. Burnip has an opportunity to accomplish the same feat next week.
If he continues the success he is on, Burnip may capture an award that Scott never received.
How important is it for Alabama’s offense to spread the ball out to its playmakers?
Scott was an incredible punter, but he never won the Ray Guy Award. Burnip could right that wrong for the Tide this year.
He will be huge for Alabama as it starts the second half of its season.
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber-only content!*
Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
