Heading into Monday night’s College Football Playoff National Championship Game between Alabama and Georgia, much has been made of the defense for both teams.
However, the difference in winning and losing is more likely to rest on the shoulders of these three offensive players for Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide.
The Bulldogs will present a run-first attack led by a freshman quarterback, and Alabama’s defense should have no issues with containing them.
If the Tide are to move one step higher on the podium after falling to Clemson last year for the title, these three players will be the main reason why:
Are the numbers for Jalen Hurts mind-blowing? Not even close.
Are they critical and important to the success of the Crimson Tide offense? You better believe it.
Hurts, a sophomore in his second season as the quarterback for Alabama, has thrown just one interception in 246 attempts this season. Last year, he had nine in 382 in leading the Tide to a runner-up finish.
For the season, Hurts has thrown for 2,060 yards with 17 touchdowns, down from his 2,780-yard, 23-touchdown showing last year. He’s also ran for another 808 yards, averaging 5.5 per carry.
The Houston-native had an almost perfect game vs. Clemson in the CFP semifinal, completing 16 of 24 for 120 yards with two touchdowns, adding another 40 yards on 11 carries.
He threw his only interception back on Oct. 14 in a win over Arkansas in which he completed 12 of 19. Hurts has completed at least 55 percent of his throws in 10 games this year and has at least one passing score in all but one contest.
His ability to create with his feet and avoid making turnovers are what sets him apart from other Alabama quarterbacks.