The Alabama Crimson Tide (3-0) destroyed Ole Miss with a monster offensive display to remain undefeated on the season. They next face another 3-0 team in the shape of the Georgia Bulldogs. Here are the three keys to an Alabama victory.
By Steve Wright
The defense needs to step up
The Alabama defense has been far from its usual dominant self in 2020. A slow start to the season could be expected, but this is a unit that is getting worse by the week. The Tide defense has leaked more points, yards – both through the air and on the ground – and more yards per play in each game. This came to a head last week when Ole Miss put up 647 total yards and 48 points on Nick Saban’s unit in a contest that was tight until the fourth quarter. Missed assignments have to be cleaned up and the unit just has to play better.
Expose Stetson Bennett
This is a guy who was supposed to be the Bulldogs fourth choice passer this season. Opt-outs and poor play have elevated the in-state passer to the head of the class and he has taken to the role like a duck to water. Bennett knows that he doesn’t have to do much more than not make mistakes for Georgia to win most games. That, however, will not be the case against Alabama as the Tide have Mac Jones purring along at the quarterback position. If they can rattle Bennett and force him into a couple of mistakes it will be big.
Win the battle up front
The Alabama offensive line has been beastly through three games and they will face their biggest test of the season on Saturday. This is a unit that has given up just four sacks in three games and that opened up Ole Miss to the tune of 206 yards on the ground for Najee Harris. Georgia – by contrast – has allowed just four runs that have gone for 10 or more yards all season and their defensive front is massive. Add in a linebacking corps that has made 10 sacks already and you have a well-rounded unit that should be fun to watch in a matchup of elite vs. elite.
Saturday‘s game kicks off at 7:00 PM CT (8:00 PM ET). Watch on the CBS Network.
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