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College Football: Grading each top 10 team’s Week 1 performance

By George Wrighster III

BLOOMINGTON, IN - AUGUST 31: Johnnie Dixon #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs for a touchdown against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN - AUGUST 31: Johnnie Dixon #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs for a touchdown against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 02: Jalen Hurts #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks to pass against the Florida State Seminoles during their game against the Florida State Seminoles at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 02: Jalen Hurts #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks to pass against the Florida State Seminoles during their game against the Florida State Seminoles at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

No. 1 Alabama beat Florida State 24-7

Offense: B
Defense: A+
Overall: A

I have the secret to Alabama’s success. Nick Saban has the unique ability to mentally intimidate other coaches. Consequently, Saban gets coaches to abandon their game play and play it safe against the Crimson Tide.

If you look at Alabama’s losses of the last few years you will notice a pattern. Those teams were aggressive from the beginning of the game until the end. Clemson, Ohio State, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M has all defeated Alabama recently because they were not afraid. Florida State came out and played conservative offense and it jumped up and bit them in the butt.

The Crimson Tide’s offense was not explosive, but they did enough to hold on to the lead. Jalen Hurts was not impressive throwing the football. He was only able to manage 96 passing yards with 5.3 yards per attempt. Alabama’s running game was the hero of the game. They chewed up the clock and got enough first downs to change field position.

The Alabama defense deserves so much credit for how they manhandled the Florida State’s offensive line. They were fast, physical, and intimidating.

Next: College Football: Top 50 breakout candidates for 2017

Overall, Alabama was typical Alabama defensively and running the football. The Crimson Tide are beatable if a team can make them one dimensional. Hurts can’t beat you with his arm.

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