Alabama Football: 3 takeaways from neutral-site takedown of Miami

2. D’Eriq King was no match for another stout Alabama defense

Entering his sixth season as a starter in college football, Miami quarterback D’Eriq King was heralded as a potential Heisman threat entering the 2021 season. The Hurricanes had high hopes that their veteran quarterback could finally carry them to the promised land this year.

All of that is still possible, given the relative strength of Miami’s ACC opponents compared to their opponent in the opener. Defenses will look to Alabama’s tape, though, as they figure out how to shut down one of the ACC’s best quarterbacks. It was as much a testament to the skill of the Crimson Tide defense as it was an indictment of King’s ability to guide the Hurricanes offense.

On Saturday in Atlanta, though, King finished with only 178 passing yards despite completing 23 of his 31 passing attempts. When he kept the ball, King managed only 10 rushing yards on nine carries. Though he threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to Xavier Restrepo, King was largely held one-dimensional by the Crimson Tide defense.

Moving forward, King might still be one of the most electric players in college football this year. But at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, he looked like a duck out of water. Sacked four times, the veteran looked uncomfortable. That was totally a result of Alabama’s formidable defensive unit, a testament to what Saban has built up in Tuscaloosa.