NCAAF Analysis: With the departure of record setting QB AJ McCarron, who triggered the Alabama Crimson Tide’s run to back-to-back national championships in 2011 and 2012, there was considerable concern about who his replacement would be. Worries increased when Bama head coach Nick Saban made a wild card selection by choosing the controversial Lane Kiffin as offensive coordinator just months after Kiffin was fired as head coach at USC. But Kiffin has surprised with his development of QB Blake Sims who has quickly evolved from question mark to exclamation point as the Alabama offense is quickly becoming one of the best in the land. All of a sudden the Tide looks ready to roll as powerful as ever before.
BetDSI opened with Alabama at +550 to win the national championship.
Sims enters the Fast Lane
Fifth-year senior QB Blake Sims was expected to backup junior Florida State transfer Jake Coker but Coker was not a quick study with Kiffin’s new offense while Sims picked up on it and also had the advantage of having familiarity with Saban and his teammates such as superstar junior wide receiver Amari Cooper and junior running back TJ Yeldon.
The Alabama offense is ranked 6th in the nation overall as Sims has an eye-popping QB rating of 190.5 with a 73% completion rate, 11.9 yards per attempt, and an 8-2 TD-INT ratio. Yeldon is averaging 5.0 yards per carry and Cooper has entered the Heisman Trophy race with 43 catches good for 15.2 yards per reception and five TDs. Adding to that embarrassment of riches is super sophomore Derrick Henry, who is averaging six yards per carry and has emerged as one of the best tailbacks in the nation.
Statement Maker
Alabama is coming off a 42-21 home payout over the Florida Gators that was even worse than the final score indicated as Alabama mauled the Gators defense for 645 total yards which was the most yards allowed in Florida history. What is significant about the Alabama performance is that Florida has long had the reputation for being a strong defensive team.
Coming Up and Our Pick
Alabama has a tricky game coming up on October 4 at a much improved No. 11 Ole Miss team in what will be an electric atmosphere and potential trap. Still, we expect the Tide to survive by stoning the Rebels erratic offense and continue their march to the SEC championship game.
