Alabama Football: 5 reasons Crimson Tide won’t be upset Ole Miss
By Zach Bigalke
5. Jaylen Waddle and Josh Jacobs will help flip field position on returns
Alabama has boasted one of the best return units in the country to start the 2018 season. Whether on kickoffs or on punts, the Crimson Tide have been adept at getting blockers in front of their return men and flipping the field position for their offense.
A big part of that success has been Jaylen Weddle’s prolific work on punt returns. Weddle currently ranks in the top 20 nationally in return yardage, averaging 12.3 yards per return. What could make it even uglier for Ole Miss on Saturday, though, is the fact that the Rebels are ranked 106th nationally in net punting.
In a similar fashion, Josh Jacobs could play a key role in setting up the Alabama offense with good field position. Ole Miss gives up an average of 21.5 yards per opponents’ kick returns, ranking in the bottom third of the FBS. Jacobs could make them pay in a big way, as he already boasts two return touchdowns in 2018.
Between Waddle and Jacobs, the Alabama offense is going to enjoy shorter fields as they turn the screws on their SEC West rival. Special teams will prove critical to Alabama’s success as they remain undefeated in Week 3.