The Alabama Crimson Tide is set to travel to Athens this Saturday to face a top-ranked Georgia Bulldogs team who has a lot to prove, and would love nothing more than to stomp on an Alabama team still finding its way.
The Bulldogs have played to date a junior varsity type schedule in comparison to the Tide, which has allowed them to put up some impressing statistics. For starters, it would seem no matter who the opponent is, Heisman trophy candidate Nick Chubb would undoubtedly impress being he will more than likely hear his name called early in next year’s NFL draft.
Currently, Chubb is tied with Georgia legend Herschel Walker for most games of consecutive 100-yard rushing performances with 12. Not to disparage anyone on Georgia’s schedule, but the names don’t necessarily scream box office in terms of the caliber of opponent. Be that as it may, Chubb has managed to do what few have been able in history, and he has a chance to extend that this week.
As to the man who is fortunate to hand the ball off to Chubb, quarterback Greyson Lambert has too impressed as of late with a streak of his own. In his last two outings, Lambert has had only one incompletion in both contests and even set an NCAA record against the South Carolina Gamecocks by going 24 for 25.
Both of these players deserve their due and while Bulldog nation would love for this to continue, the reality of it all is that it won’t.
This year’s Alabama defense is quite possibly the best its been in recent years. The scary part in all of this is they still haven’t completely figured it out. They took a huge step forward yesterday against the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks with a performance that should give Alabama fans hope to a possible upset on the road.
Greyson Lambert looks to extend his one incompletion streak against the Tide this weekend.
While both teams have played the Warhawks, comparing stats is not the tell-tale sign as to who’s ahead in that regard. From a pure observation standpoint, the Tide was able to do exactly what Nick Saban expects from his defenses. The concept is actually quite simple, and only a few of his teams manage to do it over the years since he’s been at Alabama and that is: execute your assignment.
The Warhawks’ offense wasn’t exactly world-beating by no means. But as I alluded to, they didn’t have to be. Saban is all about doing your job and executing your assignments. This is what this team did yesterday, and almost to perfection save for a few mishaps.
As strong as the front seven is for this defense, it’s extremely difficult to be ran on. Not only that, Lambert is not exactly fleet-footed, and dual-threat quarterbacks have tended to give the Tide fits in recent years. This secondary is not the best under Saban, but collectively, they do some good things.
So, while the objective of the game is for one to become the victor, so far the Bulldogs have managed to play well on the legs of Chubb and the arm of Lambert. My prediction will be saved for a later date, but as for the streaks? They were fun while they lasted.
Brandon Williams is an Editor and Columnist for Touchdown Alabama. You can follow him on Twitter, @BWilliamsTDAL, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.
