Here are the 4 crucial takeaways from a comfy Alabama success.
1. Alabama is the group to beat in the SEC West
Listen, were through the very first week of the SEC season, so to make grand judgments on what weve seen so far is somewhat idiotic, however Im simply idiotic sufficient to do it. Alabama is the very best team in the SEC West. If you take a look around the department on Saturday, you saw Auburn struggle with Kentucky and protecting champ LSU quit roughly a billion yards against Mississippi State. And while MSU beat LSU, it still enabled the Tigers to install a bunch of points and backyards at the same time. Georgia didnt appear for more than a half, and Arkansas still handled to lose to it by 27 points. Then there was Ole Miss and its defense, which was as friendly as ever in a loss to Florida that saw Kyle Trask set all kinds of records.
Theres Alabama– talented, hazardous, effective Alabama. In a weekend where everybody in the SEC revealed weak point or looked rusty (as you d expect) for a while, Alabama just dominated Missouri from start to complete. Its going to be hard for any team to do that this season, even Alabama.
2. Mac Jones is more than great enough
He may not make the spectacular play like Tua Tagovailoa did from time to time, but he rarely makes the wrong play. Jones completed his night in the third quarter after throwing for 249 lawns and two goals. He completed 75% of his passes while balancing 10.4 backyards per effort.
First-class freshman Bryce Young took control of late however just solidified Jones hold on the starting job. Young is skilled however looked every bit the freshman making his first college look. He finished 5 of 8 passes for 54 backyards, however he also fumbled the ball away while taking a sack to end his first ownership. His 2nd ownership didnt go anywhere before Alabama needed to punt. Then, after Mizzou muffed the punt and set Alabama up in the red zone, Young missed his target on what would have been a goal with an accurate toss. You might see the flashes of what makes Young unique, however he didnt appear like hes ready to challenge Jones for the starting task yet. Because Alabama doesnt require him to, and thats great.
3. Its nice to see Dylan Moses back
Its almost impossible to measure the impact losing Moses had on the Alabama defense last season, but the star linebacker didnt require much time to advise you of his tremendous skill. Even on the plays he didnt finish with a take on, he impacted the play by taking a gap away or forcing Shawn Robinson to hurry a throw.
4. Eli Drinkwitz has work to do at Mizzou
Its a group with a new coach, executing a new offense with a brand-new quarterback in the first video game of a season after not having spring practice or a typical training camp. Oh, and to turn the trouble notch up another level or 9, they had to do all this versus Alabama.
Versus Alabama, Robinson reminded me of the guy we at first saw at TCU. He ended up the night finishing 76% of his passes but balanced only 7.4 yards per attempt en path to 185 yards. If Drinkwitz can figure out a method to work those kinds of plays out of Robinson, hes excellent enough to make Missouri dangerous.
No. 2 Alabama didnt have much trouble getting its very first win of the season, disposing of Missouri 38-19 on the road Saturday night. The Crimson Tide leapt out to a 28-3 lead in the very first half before taking their foot off the gas a bit in the 2nd half to cruise to their very first win of the postponed 2020 college football season.
Alabama completed the night with 414 backyards of offense as a team. Pass receiver Jaylen Waddle rapidly reduced any fears about how the offense would replace Henry Ruggs and Jerry Jeudy, catching 8 passes for 134 lawns and two goals. His receiving partner, DeVonta Smith, had the quieter night with eight receptions for 89 lawns, while running back Najee Harris led the ground attack, hurrying for 98 yards and 3 touchdowns on 17 brings.
CBS Sports was with you the whole method upgrading this story with analysis and highlights from Alabama at Missouri. Check them out below.
Alabama ended up the night with 414 lawns of offense as a group. Theres Alabama– talented, hazardous, effective Alabama. Its going to be challenging for any team to do that this season, even Alabama. Its nearly difficult to measure the effect losing Moses had on the Alabama defense last season, however the star linebacker didnt require much time to remind you of his enormous talent. Against Alabama, Robinson reminded me of the guy we initially saw at TCU.
