Here we go again! The Ohio State Buckeyes will take on the Alabama Crimson Tide for the national championship. The Buckeyes head into the game with an offense clicking on all cylinders, while the Alabama machine just keeps on chugging. Much like 2014, the Buckeyes running game is hitting its stride and blowing teams off the field when it matters most.
This Alabama team is a little different than the 2014 team in that the strength is more about the offense than the defense. Against the two top tier offenses the Crimson Tide played, the average points given up was a whopping 47. The Buckeyes can put up points, but before we get to that later this week, let’s break down Alabama and what you need to know.
Here are some of the key things about Nick Saban’s crew that jumped out about the 2020 season and where there might be some chinks in the armor.
NEXT…The offense is loaded but …
The Alabama offense is loaded, however …
Alabama Offense in 2020:
🔺 49.7 PPG – School record
🔺 543.9 YPG – School recordThe top assistant in college football: @AlabamaFTBL OC @CoachSark pic.twitter.com/lWzXS9tSma
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) December 28, 2020
The Alabama offense is stacked at wide receiver and their best receiver is Devonta Smith. Smith is considered to be one of the top two receivers in this year’s draft and can wreck a defense at any given moment. Quarterback Mac Jones loves to get the ball into his hands and let him make plays. Should Ohio State commit to trying to stop Smith, Alabama will turn to their running back Najee Harris.
Harris is a fantastic running back who can run and be a weapon in the receiving game. He has the ability to take one to the house on any given play and has to be accounted for. Should the Buckeyes stop those two, Alabama has another receiver in sophomore John Metchie III who can make plays as well. And … if Jaylen Waddle returns (as is rumored) then the Crimson Tide is even more dangerous because he was considered the team’s best receiver to start the year and might be on par with Smith.
The only spot on the Alabama offense that isn’t a huge weapon is tight end. For all of the options, the Crimson Tide generally utilize the tight end in the blocking scheme. This could help the Buckeyes free up their linebackers a little to help shut down Harris.
If OSU can slow down the offensive attack (not stop it), those linebackers will be key.
NEXT…The defense is good, not great
The Alabama defense has some great players but is not overall great
Bama is 23 in defensive efficiency. Clemson is #1 and we all saw what OSU did to thet defense pic.twitter.com/5f0L3At74e
— MCondon (@Marc_Condon) January 4, 2021
When looking at the Alabama defense, the first name everyone thinks of this year is cornerback Patrick Surtain. He has been fantastic this season, but watching the two games that teams were able to score, Surtain does not move around much to follow the best opposing receiver. He may not have the speed to keep up with Ohio State’s Garrett Wilson, and that could be the matchup Ryan Day utilizes.
Alabama has a great defensive end in Christian Barmore, however, the rest of the line does not have a lot of oomph beyond him in pass rushing. The defense can be run on, and Alabama used its ability to score points to force teams into being one-dimensional. The linebacking corps is solid, albeit not flashy.
Bottom line: There are athletes because, well — ‘Bama, but this defense does have some holes to take advantage of.
NEXT…Mac Jones has weaknesses to exploit
Mac Jones is good but the wide receivers make him look so much better
I don't know if I'd spend a top 15 pick on Mac Jones, but it'd be a much better investment than 75 percent of the QBs that have gone in the Top 15 recently. Beyond that, he's worth a shot. Not sure about the arm strength. But he has the rhythm, presence, poise
— David Murphy (@ByDavidMurphy) January 1, 2021
While watching Mac Jones, one thing that jumped out as a small flaw is his arm strength. This is not to say he doesn’t have any, but rather, he is not a quarterback who will beat you deep like Trevor Lawrence or Justin Fields would. His strength comes from his mechanics and ability to play in the system. Think Alex Smith, which honestly, is still pretty good.
Jones gets the ball out quickly and knows where to throw it. He allows his receivers to make plays and operates within the system really well. When he is on the move, his solid accuracy drops, and while he can run a little, he is not the same kind of threat other quarterbacks are with his legs. When there is pressure, Jones stays in the pocket and does not let the chaos around him change his mechanics much. The key is to get Jones on the move.
NEXT…The one weakness on the offensive line
Alabama’s offensive line is good, with one glaring issue
@BillLandis25 how big of a loss is a Landon Dickerson for Alabama? Per PFF he’s either their best Olineman or second best behind leatherwood
— MCondon (@Marc_Condon) January 4, 2021
Against Florida, starting center Landon Dickerson went down with a knee injury and was ruled out for the rest of the season. While Alabama has some depth on their offensive line, the lack of Dickerson will be a huge loss against Ohio State. Haskell Garrett is going to require a lot of attention, or he will get pressure up the middle on Jones.
Alabama has a great offensive tackle in Alex Leatherwood, however, the right side of the line can be beaten. Should Alabama have to slide protection to block Garrett, Nick Saban will likely have to use Deonte Brown, which will help the left side loosen up.
Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion.
Download the USA TODAY SportsWire app to follow Buckeyes Wire and your other favorite teams in the Apple Store for iPhones and Google Play for Android devices.
