Alabama Football: Ranking 2020 opponents by toughness

Kedon Slovis is the headliner at USC. As a freshman, he guided the Trojan offense to a sixth-place finish nationally in passing. He racked up 3,502 yards and 30 touchdowns while keeping his interception numbers down in the single digits at nine. He had 515 yards and four touchdowns against the aforementioned Cal defense.

Slovis singlehandedly saved Clay Helton’s job, caused JT Daniels to leave for Georgia, and was so good that Bryce Young, the nation’s top quarterback recruit, de-committed and brought his talents to Tuscaloosa.

The sophomore quarterback also has a great cast of weapons that includes Amon-Ra St. Brown, Tyler Vaughns, and Drake London, and he’ll have a solid defense with ten returning starters to help out.

Clay Helton is perpetually coaching for his job, but he could finally earn some security with a potentially big 2020 in Los Angeles.

The timing for Auburn is difficult to swallow for Tiger fans. Bo Nix had to go through his true freshman growing pains in the season where everything else on the roster was nearly perfect. The defense was loaded, especially up front, featuring Derrick Brown, Marlon Davidson, and Nick Coe. Much of the defense that allowed just 19.5 points per game is gone, along with offensive linemen Prince Tega Wanogho and Jack Driscoll, as well as tailback JaTarvious Whitlow.

Nix will likely be a far steadier passer in 2020, and his connection with Seth Williams is one of the most exciting in the sport. The speedy Anthony Schwartz also has a high ceiling, especially with Chad Morris running the offense.

Morris also provides one of the team’s most interesting storylines. He has a strong history of producing high-level offenses, but his disastrous Arkansas tenure has overshadowed that. Additionally, how much control will Gus Malzahn give to Morris? Tiger offenses have been at their best when Malzahn has a coordinator he leans on, so Morris could be a boon on the plains in 2020.