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Alabama football’s case for best team in the country in 2019

By Dakota Cox

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 01: Head coach Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrate with the trophy after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs 35-28 in the 2018 SEC Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 01: Head coach Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrate with the trophy after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs 35-28 in the 2018 SEC Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 29: Tua Tagovailoa #13 and Henry Ruggs III #11 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrate the touchdown in the first quarter during the College Football Playoff Semifinal against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 29: Tua Tagovailoa #13 and Henry Ruggs III #11 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrate the touchdown in the first quarter during the College Football Playoff Semifinal against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Alabama offense

Biggest strength: Passing game
Biggest weakness: Uncertainty at tight end

A big reason why Alabama might be the best team in the country in 2019 is their offense. Last year, Tua Tagovailoa had one of the most successful seasons an Alabama quarterback has ever had. He was throwing to Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs, Devonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle. Any quarterback would thrive with that type of depth, but a guy like Tua makes them impossible to stop.

Alabama is losing their two top running backs last year in Damien Harris and Josh Jacobs, but they are also returning Najee Harris. Harris sometimes got lost in the shuffle of backs last year, but he has what it takes to be a star in the offense this season. There will also be Brian Robinson, a guy who has shown his abilities in spurts over the past two years.

Related Story. Will Najee Harris rush for 1000 yards?. light

The biggest concern with Alabama is the tight end, but that isn’t a huge concern. They have to replace Irv Smith, a talented pass catcher. You have Miller Forristall and Major Tennison, gut neither of them have been keys in the passing game before. I would look at Cameron Latu to make a difference in the passing game. Latu is a converted linebacker who has shown potential on the offensive side since making the switch.

I know that Clemson was able to stifle the offense in the CFP last season, but there are a few reasons why I think that won’t happen two years in a row. Assuming Tua is healthy, he will be able to perform at a much higher level. Also, many issues with stopping the Clemson defense revolved around their defensive line, and they will have to replace almost all of their key contributors from last season.

Also, Alabama would have done better offensively if they weren’t behind the eight ball all night. They were forced to play desperate to catch up to Clemson’s lead, and they just couldn’t.

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