The College Football Nation underwent a huge shock when Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered another major injury. This hip dislocation and hip fracture forced him to miss the rest of the season. While Tua’s season is done, the fifth-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide’s season is not. The Tide are still in the hunt for a potential College Football Playoff berth for the sixth straight season. Mac Jones once again will take over for the injured Tagovailoa with more experience and confidence with more on the line. That begins on Saturday as Alabama hosts Western Carolina.
Jones and the Tide get an easy transition from Mississippi State to an FCS team in Western Carolina. The Catamounts (3-8) have a disappointing season in 2019. This matchup for the Crimson Tide marks an important foundation for the remainder of the season. While Western Carolina isn’t a huge threat, the Tide needs to play well and build themselves for next week’s matchup at the #15 Auburn Tigers.
Alabama Hosts Western Carolina
It’s Mac Jones’ time
Jones gets to begin his potential long-term starting quarterback position with Alabama early after last week’s unfortunate injury to Tagovailoa. Throughout the preseason and early in the season, Jones was regarded as a reliable backup to Tagovailoa. He came in often to relieve him from blowout wins. He got to show what he could bring to the 2020 season (if Tagovailoa goes to the 2020 NFL Draft) by getting his first start for the Tide at home against Arkansas. Tagovailoa was out with the high ankle sprain he suffered against the Tennessee Volunteers. Against Arkansas, Jones threw for 235 yards and three touchdowns on 18 completions (out of 22 attempts). He also accounted for a 216.5 passer rating and a QBR of 91.1. Jones had an entire week to prepare for the game against Arkansas and performed very efficiently.
Jones gets a chance to establish himself as the permanent starting quarterback for the Tide against the Catamounts. Performance-wise, Jones shouldn’t be under too much scrutiny from the defense of the Catamounts as they allow 164.1 passing yards per game and 18 touchdowns. This is more misleading because Western Carolina’s rush defense is a disaster. The Catamounts allow an average of 260.6 rushing yards per game and 31 rushing touchdowns overall. This game will be easy for the rushing offense led by running backs Najee Harris and Brian Robinson Jr. Jones and the wide receivers can build great chemistry together against a poor Catamounts defense. The real pressure for Jones is knowing that this Tide’s offense is now his to lead. Jones could be the next Cardale Jones for Alabama, coming from a backup to playoffs winning savior.
The Tide will need to focus on red-zone scoring
Offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian has done a great job of transitioning from the NFL back to college. His Tide offense ranks fourth in the nation in points per game (46.8) and eighth in total offense (510.6 total yards per game). The red zone is one section of the game that still gives coach Sarkisian problems. The Tide ranks 54th in the nation in red scoring by scoring 85% of the time in the red zone. One reason is the lack of efficient field goal kicking as Alabama is 10-of-15 from field goals. The Tide has gotten more efficient in the red zone than last year without Sarkisian as they finished by scoring in 79.73% of their drives. Still, Sarkisian knows Alabama will play tougher defenses after Western Carolina. This game against Western Carolina is a great opportunity to be more suitable to score in a game setting.
Getting the young defensive line some work
Defensive end Labryan Ray (foot) is expected to miss the rest of the regular season for the Crimson Tide. Defensive tackle D.J. Dale (knee) and defensive end Raekwon Davis (ankle) were injured in the game last week against Mississippi State. It is still unknown if both Dale and Davis play this upcoming Saturday for the Crimson Tide. This leaves multiple young defensive linemen to potentially get more reps and experience in for a Tide’s defense that has been plagued with injuries this year. Reserve defensive tackle Christian Barmore has a chance to showcase his reliability as a tackle and running stopping end. Barmore has accounted for four tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks, which leads all Tide defensive linemen. Tackle Phidarian Mathis and end Justin Eboigbe have a chance to build themselves in this game against Western Carolina especially if they get the chance to start.
Defense making last adjustments before Auburn
When Alabama hosts Western Carolina, this game becomes a last real-time game chance for the defense to fix any communication issues. The responsibility of the communication has fallen upon safety Xavier McKinney after the injury to Dylan Moses. This game will also give the younger and less experienced Tide players a chance to get more reps and tackle more efficiently. The Catamounts’ offense averages 19.5 points per game and has scored 67% of the time they encountered the red zone. This game should come as no problem for the Tide’s defense looking to address some questions.
