Saturday Blitz
Fansided

Alabama Football: Fair or not, 2019 is national title or bust for Tide

By Dakota Cox

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 11: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates by hoisting the College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy after defeating the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Crimson Tide defeated the Tigers with a score of 45 to 40. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 11: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates by hoisting the College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy after defeating the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Crimson Tide defeated the Tigers with a score of 45 to 40. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 29: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide hands off the ball to Najee Harris #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide 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 Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 29: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide hands off the ball to Najee Harris #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide 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 Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

The strongest offense at almost every position

This just really isn’t fair. Alabama had to win games with tough defenses for years. Fans always wondered what would happen if the team ever had an above-average offense. Instead of having that, they have the best offense in college football.

Before Tua Tagovailoa, Nick Saban’s best quarterback was A.J. McCarron, an NFL backup. McCarron did amazing things with the Tide, but Tua is on another level. Add in the fact that the skill positions are elite as well, and there’s not much you can do to stop the Tide.

Jerry Jeudy is clearly the top receiver in the country. He is also paired with Henry Ruggs, arguably a top-five receiver. Then there are Devonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle, two players who would be the first option for just about any other offense in the country. Tua has the talent to find them all, and they make plays when given the opportunity.

The running game lost both Damien Harris and Josh Jacobs last year, but Najee Harris will hold it down in the backfield. He averaged 6.7 yards a carry last year, so talent wasn’t what was keeping him off the field. There were simply two amazing backs ahead of him on the depth chart. You also have Brian Robinson, an unproven back with loads of potential, and Trey Sanders, a freshman who could see time on the field thanks to his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.

The offensive line has some moving pieces, but the bookends might be the best tackle duo in the country. We will have to wait until Deonte Brown comes off of a four-game suspension to see just how talented the line can be.

Home/Alabama Crimson Tide