Alabama Football: 3 bold predictions for season opener vs. Duke

1. Alabama will score a non-offensive touchdown

Alabama used to be the kings of non-offensive touchdowns. I think the odds of them getting back into that form are pretty high. The non-offensive touchdowns come in three different ways: kickoffs, punt returns, and defensive plays. Alabama will be great at all of these levels in 2019.

Defensively, the secondary will be much-improved. With Trevon Diggs healthy and Josh Jobe in for nickel packages, the talent will be there for interceptions. Diggs used to be a receiver for the Tide, so he knows how to make a play with the ball in his hands.

Of course, Jaylen Waddle has the possibility to make a house call on every punt return. He’s one of the fastest skill players in college football, and his ability to make returns on punts is known around the conference. I could easily see him eager to make a play in the first game of the season.

Last year, Josh Jacobs scored on a kick return for a touchdown. If Brian Robinson or Henry Ruggs get a chance on a kickoff, they have the skill to make a house call. All in all, I like the Tide’s odds to make a big play on defense or special teams.

When the game is likely to get out of hand, you have to get creative with predicting the game. You can’t just say that Alabama will win. It takes more than that to make a prediction special.