SEC Football Media Days 2019: One big takeaway from each team

Alabama believes 2018 result falls on them, not Clemson

For 14 games, 2018 seemed like a normal Alabama season. Blow through most of the schedule, win tight ones against a couple teams that give them trouble, then go on to win a national championship, or at least lose a close game and avenge it the next season. What happened when they faced Trevor Lawrence and Clemson in January wasn’t normal.

When asked whether the Tide focus more on the 14 wins or the one loss from last season, the answer is predictable.

“I think about the last game more,” Jeudy told the media. “We had a great season but the last game is the most important one”.

So, as Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide turn to 2019, they’re biggest priority is to regain a killer instinct they felt had gone dull as the program piled up the success.

“I’m glad I had the oppurtunity to feel a loss like that because what can you learn from winning?”, Tua Tagovailoa asked the media. After throwing two interceptions in the SEC title game against Georgia, and then another two against Clemson, Tua can certainly has a lot to learn about playing elite defenses in big situations. He was great in the CFP semi-final against Oklahoma, a team whose defense ranked 130th against the pass nationally in 2018.

Against great units, Tua is till going to make one or two big mistakes. The quarterback has a Favre quality to him, and that can be tough to live with.

All of this was encapsulated by Dylan Moses, who stated very plainly at SEC Media Days, “I wouldn’t say Clemson was a better team.”

Had Alabama gotten complacent before Jan. 7 or have the Tide just been replaced? Football season is just around the corner, and we’ll only know when these teams return to the field.