Can Anybody Beat Alabama?
By Colin Dixon November 5th, 2018
Picture Via @alabamaftbl Twitter
Well, the answer is yes but by a long shot. The Alabama football team proved on Saturday, November 3rd, who they really were after facing then #3 LSU and blowing them out 29-0.
The Alabama offense has been nearly unstoppable scoring on average 51.3 points per game. On top of that their defense is only giving up 14.1 points per game.
The Crimson Tide defense had their first shutout of the year against the number 3 team in the nation on this past Saturday. The LSU Tigers were going to be Alabamas first true test of the year and Alabama passed that test with ease.
But is there anybody who can truly test Alabama?
Well, I am predicting that the Top 4 teams after the CFB rankings come out on Tuesday will be...
#1 Alabama, #2 Clemson, #3 Notre Dame, #4 Michigan
Out of those 4 teams, I think that only Clemson and Michigan have the slightest shot of knocking off the Crimson Tide.
Clemson who is led by freshman Quarterback Trevor Lawrence is proving why they are one of the top two teams in the country after scoring 77 points vs Louisville on Saturday. The Tigers who are 9-0 will be heading to Boston College this coming Saturday for a big ranked match up. The Tigers are averaging 47.8 points per game and are only allowing 13.3 points per game.
The Clemson Tigers are the only team all around that could compete with Alabama. If one team is going to dethrone the reigning champs, it will be the Clemson Tigers.
The Tigers have a stellar defense with many hopeful first round draft picks in the upcoming draft but along with their stars the Tiger defense is loaded and has a lot of depth. The Tigers are one of a couple teams in my opinion who could give Alabamas offense fits. That list has only Clemson, Michigan and Georgia.
But the Tigers are the only one of those three schools who have an offense with that will be able to give Alabama a run for their money. With a freshman gunslinger behind center and a dynamic backfield with multiple running backs who can do damage on any given play, the Clemson offense is built to dominate.
Michigan is another team who I believe can compete with the Crimson Tide. They have a new quarterback who has looked great since they changed up their offensive scheme and a defense that is loaded.
The Wolverines are only allowing 13.6 points per game on average. The Wolverine defense is led by linebackers Chase Winovich and Devin Bush. Both of which have 4 sacks on the year and to beat Alabama you need to put pressure on the quarterback.
Since the week 1 loss to Notre Dame the Wolverines have looked different and are looking better. Jim Harbaugh decided to change their offense to more of a read-option offense instead of a spread offense with a power running attack. Transfer quarterback Shea Patterson has evolved into a dynamic runner in the new offense and his dynamic ability to run and pass is something that the Alabama defense has always struggled with.
The Wolverine offense is not as versatile or powerful as someone like Clemson but they could definitely compete with Alabama.
The last team that I think that would have a shot at beating the Crimson Tide is the Georgia Bulldogs. These teams will face off in the SEC championship and it will be a National Championship rematch that will hopefully be just as exciting as the last time they met.
Georgia has had its ups and downs all year but they definitely know how to compete against good teams. With a very tough schedule, the Bulldogs have one loss on their resume coming to LSU in a 36-16 loss.
That 20 point margin to a team who lost by 29 points to Alabama does scare me but many people from last years National Championship game will be back on the field when they face off in a month for the SEC title.
The Bulldog defense is their strong suit and they are only averaging 16.4 points given up per game so far this year. This defense will have its hands full with a tough Nick Saban offense but they will be up for the test.
Along with a good defense sophomore quarterback Jake Fromm has played against Alabama before and he has competed with them for 4 full quarters and even an overtime period. He has two different running backs behind him this year but both their running backs so far are combining for around 230 yards rushing per game.
This Georgia team will definitely have a tough test in the SEC championship but if they play their best game of the year when they face Alabama they could give the Crimson Tide some fits.
Overall Alabama has made all of their opponents this year look silly and even after their first tough test of the year they looked nearly unbeatable. With Tua Tagovailoa throwing 27 touchdowns to 1 interception so far, it makes it hard to believe anyone can stop the Tide from rolling.
Although it will not be easy, I still believe there is a chance that Alabama could lose this year. Clemson has the best shot to do it, and right now it looks like there will be Clemson vs Alabama part 4 this year in the National Championship. But do not sleep on Michigan or Georgia either they are definitely two teams that Alabama cannot be complacent with.
Will Alabama lose a game this year, the odds are in their favor of not but I do believe that there are only 3 teams in America who would even have a chance at beating them.
Picture Via @alabamaftbl Twitter
Well, the answer is yes but by a long shot. The Alabama football team proved on Saturday, November 3rd, who they really were after facing then #3 LSU and blowing them out 29-0.
The Alabama offense has been nearly unstoppable scoring on average 51.3 points per game. On top of that their defense is only giving up 14.1 points per game.
The Crimson Tide defense had their first shutout of the year against the number 3 team in the nation on this past Saturday. The LSU Tigers were going to be Alabamas first true test of the year and Alabama passed that test with ease.
But is there anybody who can truly test Alabama?
Well, I am predicting that the Top 4 teams after the CFB rankings come out on Tuesday will be...
#1 Alabama, #2 Clemson, #3 Notre Dame, #4 Michigan
Out of those 4 teams, I think that only Clemson and Michigan have the slightest shot of knocking off the Crimson Tide.
Clemson who is led by freshman Quarterback Trevor Lawrence is proving why they are one of the top two teams in the country after scoring 77 points vs Louisville on Saturday. The Tigers who are 9-0 will be heading to Boston College this coming Saturday for a big ranked match up. The Tigers are averaging 47.8 points per game and are only allowing 13.3 points per game.
The Clemson Tigers are the only team all around that could compete with Alabama. If one team is going to dethrone the reigning champs, it will be the Clemson Tigers.
The Tigers have a stellar defense with many hopeful first round draft picks in the upcoming draft but along with their stars the Tiger defense is loaded and has a lot of depth. The Tigers are one of a couple teams in my opinion who could give Alabamas offense fits. That list has only Clemson, Michigan and Georgia.
But the Tigers are the only one of those three schools who have an offense with that will be able to give Alabama a run for their money. With a freshman gunslinger behind center and a dynamic backfield with multiple running backs who can do damage on any given play, the Clemson offense is built to dominate.
Michigan is another team who I believe can compete with the Crimson Tide. They have a new quarterback who has looked great since they changed up their offensive scheme and a defense that is loaded.
The Wolverines are only allowing 13.6 points per game on average. The Wolverine defense is led by linebackers Chase Winovich and Devin Bush. Both of which have 4 sacks on the year and to beat Alabama you need to put pressure on the quarterback.
Since the week 1 loss to Notre Dame the Wolverines have looked different and are looking better. Jim Harbaugh decided to change their offense to more of a read-option offense instead of a spread offense with a power running attack. Transfer quarterback Shea Patterson has evolved into a dynamic runner in the new offense and his dynamic ability to run and pass is something that the Alabama defense has always struggled with.
The Wolverine offense is not as versatile or powerful as someone like Clemson but they could definitely compete with Alabama.
The last team that I think that would have a shot at beating the Crimson Tide is the Georgia Bulldogs. These teams will face off in the SEC championship and it will be a National Championship rematch that will hopefully be just as exciting as the last time they met.
Georgia has had its ups and downs all year but they definitely know how to compete against good teams. With a very tough schedule, the Bulldogs have one loss on their resume coming to LSU in a 36-16 loss.
That 20 point margin to a team who lost by 29 points to Alabama does scare me but many people from last years National Championship game will be back on the field when they face off in a month for the SEC title.
The Bulldog defense is their strong suit and they are only averaging 16.4 points given up per game so far this year. This defense will have its hands full with a tough Nick Saban offense but they will be up for the test.
Along with a good defense sophomore quarterback Jake Fromm has played against Alabama before and he has competed with them for 4 full quarters and even an overtime period. He has two different running backs behind him this year but both their running backs so far are combining for around 230 yards rushing per game.
This Georgia team will definitely have a tough test in the SEC championship but if they play their best game of the year when they face Alabama they could give the Crimson Tide some fits.
Overall Alabama has made all of their opponents this year look silly and even after their first tough test of the year they looked nearly unbeatable. With Tua Tagovailoa throwing 27 touchdowns to 1 interception so far, it makes it hard to believe anyone can stop the Tide from rolling.
Although it will not be easy, I still believe there is a chance that Alabama could lose this year. Clemson has the best shot to do it, and right now it looks like there will be Clemson vs Alabama part 4 this year in the National Championship. But do not sleep on Michigan or Georgia either they are definitely two teams that Alabama cannot be complacent with.
Will Alabama lose a game this year, the odds are in their favor of not but I do believe that there are only 3 teams in America who would even have a chance at beating them.
