A couple of national powers collide when the (1) Alabama Crimson Tide go to war with the (3) Florida State Seminoles on Saturday, September 2nd at 8:00 p.m. EST. The match-up will take place at the brand new Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia and can be seen on ABC. As of this article, Vegas has the Crimson Tide as a -7 point favorite and the total sits at 49.
This year, Alabama kicks-off their season as the clear cut number one team in the nation. Florida State is actually the second best team, even if the Associated Press and Coaches polls see it differently. On Saturday evening, these two get to beat each other up in one of the most impressive opening weekend match-ups of the year.
This should be a sensational contest between two universities that have their sights set on reaching the national title game in January. These teams last met in 2007 and Florida State won that game 21-14.
(1) Alabama Crimson Tide
The Crimson Tide have made it to the playoffs in each of the last three years. They also have claimed one championship over that stretch. Last year, they were upset in the title game as they were defeated 35-31 by Clemson. Now, quarterback Jalen Hurts is back for his sophomore year and hoping to guide Alabama back to the National Title game.
Last year, Jalen Hurts was a freshman and led the Crimson Tide to the college football season finale’. On his way there, he tossed the football for 2,780 yards with 23 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Let’s not forget his ability to move the chains with his feet. The dual-threat also toted the rock for 954 yards and another 13 scores. He will be even better this year.
Alabama’s running game is always one of the best in the country. This season will be no different, as tail backs Damien Harris and Bo Scarbrough return for head coach Nick Saban. Both runners did plenty of damage to opposing defenses in 2016. Harris, led the team with 1,040 yards rushing, and also found the end zone twice. Scarbrough was just as effective, running for 812 yards and recording 11 trips to pay-dirt.
Throwing the ball hasn’t been a problem for the Crimson Tide either. I expect more of the same, as Bama’ returns the fifth best receiver corps in the country. The unit is led by wide receiver Calvin Ridley. In 2016, Ridley reeled in a team-high 72 balls for 769 yards and seven touchdowns.
Defensively, Alabama returns 25 of their 32 lettermen. That adds up to a lot of trouble for opposing offenses. Last season, they allowed just 13.0 points per game and only 262 yards per contest. With so many experienced players back, they have a legitimate shot of being just as good this season.
In fact, Alabama has the 6th rated defensive line in the nation, the best linebacker corps and the countries second rated secondary. Adding to those impressive numbers, they also have good depth at every position. Bottom line, this will again be a very good defense.
(3) Florida State Seminoles
Last year, many felt that Florida State would be the team to beat, but in reality, this is their year. The Seminoles are loaded as they return 15 starters and get back 48 lettermen overall from a team that went 10-3 a year ago. To cap 2016 off, head coach Jimbo Fisher’s group came back to beat Michigan 33-32, in a thrilling addition of the Orange Bowl.
The Seminole offense has back Deondre Francois under center. Last year, Francois lead all freshmen in passing. The new comer passed for 3,350 yards and 20 touchdowns. More impressively, he only was picked-off seven times throughout the season. With a full year of experience to build off, the Florida State quarterback should be even better in 2017.
Florida State lost its all-time leading rusher Delvin Cook to the Minnesota Vikings. Now, the Seminoles will turn to Junior Jacques Patrick and freshman Cam Akers. Last year, Patrick averaged 5.7 yards per carry as a backup. Early this year, Akers wowed teammates and coaches in spring drills.
Last year, the Seminoles were 40th in the nation in rushing but I don’t expect that to be the case in 2017. Delvin Cook was amazing, and the Florida State offensive line is a little greener.
Deondre Francois will be surrounded by a group of receivers that are long on talent but short on experience. The pass catching unit will be led by Junior wide out Nyqwan Murray. The youthful baller has legitimate star potential, as he proved by scoring twice against the Wolverines in the Orange Bowl. Altogether, he caught 27 balls for 441 yards and five scores.
The Florida State defense was an immediate issue to start off their 2016 campaign. In fact, they allowed over 42 points in their first four contests. Nevertheless, this unit regrouped and held teams to jusst 18.5 points in their final eight. Now, they have back 24 of 27 lettermen from that group, including 10 starters. In all, they have 87 percent of their tackles back from 2016, which is 3rd in the nation.
The Seminoles boast perhaps the best secondary in the nation. All-America safety Derwin James returns from a season-ending knee injury last September. James is joined by several other cover guys with starting experience. Including junior corner back Tarvarus McFadden, who tied for first nationally with eight picks in 2016.
Prediction
This opening match-up could very well be a preview of the national title game in January. Both teams are loaded and at the very least, both should be in the College Football Playoffs. This game also will be played at a neutral site, so there’s no real home-field advantage for either team.
If any defense in the nation can match-up against the potent Alabama offense, it’s the Seminoles. Keeping Jalen Hurts and company in check for four quarters of football certainly won’t be easy. That being said, they better find a way to limit the Crimson Tide’s scoring because they have some fresh faces on their offensive side of the ball.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I get it. Bama only has five returning starters on defense. Well, it’s Alabama thank you, and that means it’s next man up. Throw in a Seminole offense that still needs to find an identity, and that spells big trouble for Florida State.
Because of the Noles’ defense, I think Florida State can keep this relatively close. But close only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades. Buy down the -7 to 6.5 and watch Bama best the Seminoles by a touchdown. Alabama 27-20.
Trends
The Crimson Tide are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
The Under is 4-1 in the Crimson Tide last 5 non-conference games.
The Over is 20-6-1 in the Crimson Tide last 27 neutral site games.
The Seminoles are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
The Seminoles are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 non-conference games.
The Over is 6-0 in the Seminoles last 6 neutral site games.
The Over is 4-1 in the Seminoles last 5 non-conference games.
The getmoresports.com NCAA College Football Throwdown Podcast will be returning to the air on August 24th. We will be highlighting the first five games on August 26th of the 2017 NCAA College Football season. That will be the first of three installments leading into the first week of the season. We also we will be covering our expectations for the Heisman Trophy front runners as well as predictions for conference winners and team totals.
Our second NCAA College Football Throwdown is penciled in for August 29th. In that installment, we will be discussing all the games that will be played on August 31st and the 1st of September.
Our third segment will officially be airing on August 31st. In this edition of the NCAA College Football Throwdown, we will be covering all the relevant games for Sept 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.
