Alabama Dominates Michigan, Crimson Tide Remain Team To Beat

AP No. 8/Fansided No. 8 Michigan never stood a chance. AP No. 2/Fansided No. 2 Alabama rolled into Dallas with fury, overwhelming the Wolverines from the onset en route to a 41-14 final that wasn’t even

that

close.

Maybe it was spending the last eight months hearing and reading about USC’s championship coronation. The defending champion Crimson Tide were ranked behind the Trojans in the Associated Press Top 25, and perhaps even more of a sign of disrespect, behind the LSU team it beat in January in the USA Today Coaches Poll. Maybe ‘Bama wanted to show that despite losing a bevy of NFL talent, there’s plenty remaining in Tuscaloosa. Maybe this was a statement of SEC dominance over the Big Ten.

Or maybe wrecking opponents is just what Alabama does. Whatever the reason, the Tide used Saturday’s marquee, prime time stage to make a declaration. There’s no taking home the crystal ball without prying it away from the Elephant’s hooves.

Nothing about Saturday’s match-up looked like a top 10 pairing. Michigan was among the nation’s best defenses last season, resurgent under the guidance of Greg Mattison and a return to the 4-3. Yet against Alabama, the Wolverines were undersized and too slow. The same was true for the offense. Denard Robinson never had an opportunity to make plays because the Alabama defense was overwhelming him from the moment he took each snap.

The absence of Fitzgerald Toussaint from the backfield didn’t help Robinson’s or Michigan’s cause, but realistically…what was he going to do? Robinson, Vincent Smith, Thomas Rawls; none could muster more than 2.7 yards per carry.

Conversely, AJ McCarron exhibited a more refined ability with the pass, striking twice in the first quarter to set the tone. He completed the combination of TJ Yeldon and Jalston Fowler, who were breaking off first downs nearly every time they touched the ball.

In others words, the Dethstar is fully operational.

No team looked more prepared for Week 1 than Alabama. If there’s anything Nick Saban doesn’t do, it’s rest on his laurels. Alabama played like a team with something to prove. The scary part is the Tide will only get better.