We will have plenty more to say per usual, but Alabama took care of business in the opener. There was reason to be encouraged by both lines, as Alabama ran the ball much more effectively than we saw for most of last season and successfully stuffed the run. Keelon Russell commanded the offense well and made some spectacular plays, but also tried to get a bit greedy on a few occasions and it could have bitten him. He will need to learn the concept of taking profit as this level.
Trae’shawn Brown and EJ Crowell look the part, and Ryan Coleman-Williams shook off two early drops to have a great afternoon. Lotzeir Brooks made perhaps the play of the game in the fourth quarter with a dazzling catch and run when he looked to be bottled up near the sideline.
There was plenty to clean up as well, especially on offense. It probably shouldn’t be a surprise that things were a bit sloppy from an administrative standpoint with so many new faces, but as the season goes along those burned timeouts can be big. There were a couple of pre-snap penalties, and ECU’s two scores were set up by a fumbled exchange between Russell and Coleman-Williams, and a bad coverage bust on defense.
Still, Alabama was never threatened in the game and emerged healthy. Those were the goals, and they now have film on themselves to help prepare for a trip to Kentucky next week that will be much more difficult.
There is plenty of football on for you the rest of the day. Schedule below courtesy of CFBgrid.com.
Roll Tide.
