It’s Game 2 against a cupcake, but it’s one of vital importance to the season, the team, and the tenure of Coach Kalen DeBoer. Alabama fans expect a win in the home opener, but how they get to that final whistle will be closely monitored. Here are seven things that would make me feel a little bit better about this team and this program.
1. A big crowd. Many of the fanbase is down on the program right now, but they are still Alabama and they still need to sell out that stadium – or at least make it
close. If you have a ticket(s) and are not going, think about donating!
2. Play the two Offensive Lineman of the future. Freshmen Michael Carroll and Jackson Lloyd need to get extensive playing time – even if it’s garbage time. Don’t waste this opportunity.
3. Three Quarterbacks play and do more than just hand off. Ty Simpson is not losing his job, so it’s not about replacing him. It’s about game experience. Simpson barely got any real playing time last season and the inexperience showed last weekend. Add in the fact that there was no A-Day Game and there are some raw QBs on the roster. Get those guys feet wet.
4. At least two takeaways. They still coach that sort of thing, right?
5. Winning by 50 or more. This is a terrible opponent Alabama is playing. There’s no excuse for them not to cover this relatively small point spread of 35.5. It’s not about gambling. Show the world you are still the same Bama that dominates a team like ULM.
6. No stupid penalties. It is near impossible to go a full game and not get flagged. Some zebra is not going to like a certain blocking technique or the way a defensive back stays glued to a receiver. Just don’t do anything stupid (or at least obvious).
7. GET MAD! People used to be astonished to see Nick Saban go on the kind of tirade that would make Mike Tyson cower with the Crimson Tide up 55-0. The same goes for the infamous Barrett Jones “pushing incident” with Bama up big late in the 2013 BCS National Championship game against Notre Dame. AJ McCarron just wanted and demanded perfection. Let’s see Kalen DeBoer get mad and yell at someone – a referee, a player, an assistant. ANYONE! Just show us some fire instead of standing around on the sidelines with crossed arms looking like a claims adjuster.
