The first week of the season for the SEC brought excellent performances and shocking upsets. For the #2 Alabama Crimson Tide, it was busy as usual as they traveled to Columbia, Missouri and dominated the Missouri Tigers 38-19. Tide Nation was looking forward to seeing the progress of the Bama without much of a spring training session. They were also looking to see how they would open the season after missing the College Football Playoffs last year for the first time. Against the Tigers, there was no concern from the production standpoint for the Crimson Tide from start to finish. The Tide took the 28-3 lead into halftime and they held on as they took their foot off the gas as Alabama dominates the Missouri Tigers.
Alabama Dominates Missouri Tigers 38-19
Mac Jones Still Solid With Waddle And Smith
After a positive individual ending to a 2019 season, Jones was handed the role of starting quarterback for the Crimson Tide. This game against the Tigers was the first real look at his offseason production, despite the spring training being canceled due to COVID-19. The Tide’s passing offense did not lose a single beat from their third-ranked passing offense last season with Jones as the starter. Jones was calm and poised in the pocket as he showed his great strength and anticipation to make great throws. Jones developed a deep connection with Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith late last season and during the offseason. That connection continued to develop against the Tigers. Jones threw for 249 yards and two touchdowns on 18 completions (out of 24 passing attempts).
Waddle was the most impactful wide receiver for the Tide. He caught eight receptions for 134 yards and two touchdowns and he was also great in key blocks. Waddle’s ability to run dynamic routes and get open against this very talented Missouri secondary. Smith caught eight receptions for 89 yards. Sophomore John Metchie III had two receptions of over 20 yards. The passing game for the Crimson Tide was still stout and highly productive with a new starting quarterback and two of their top receivers gone. Overall, the Tide’s offense accounted for 303 yards and two touchdowns on 23 completions for an average of 9.5 yards per completions.
Moses, Anderson Showed Hunger For Tide’s Defense
Defensively, the Tide were eager to be back on the field after a slightly disappointing 2019 performance. This game featured the return of star middle linebacker Dylan Moses after suffering an ACL tear shortly before last season. Moses’ return to the Tide’s defense signaled the potential return to a more efficient scheme in defending the run and getting to the ball carrier with more urgency. Moses accounted for four solo tackles and two tackles for loss. He was electric getting to the ball carrier and making behind the line of scrimmage. True freshman Will Anderson Jr. has been one of the most impressive players in Fall Camp for the Crimson Tide. Since arriving on campus, Anderson has shown he is a player that he will be a star playmakers for the Tide’s defense.
Anderson accounted for three total tackles against the Tigers but he created much more of an impact than what his stats indicated. In just one game, Anderson was able to display his quick first step to pressure the Tigers quarterback. He was constantly in the backfield disrupting the running and passing lanes. The defense for Alabama accounted for three sacks and eight tackles for loss against the offensive line of Missouri. Sophomore middle linebacker Christian Harris was also highly efficient as he accounted for six solo tackles, two tackles for loss, and one sack.
New Faces In Their First Game
There were plenty of newcomers and young players for the Crimson Tide that played significant reps on Saturday. Anderson was one of the two freshman starters on the Tide’s defense. Malachi Moore accounted for three solo tackles and a tackle for loss in the win over Missouri. He was highly in quickly getting to the ball carrier. Like other defensive backs for the Tide, he will need to be more efficient in going in for the pass disruptions on quick passes. This game was also the premiere of former five-star dual-threat quarterback Bryce Young. The Tide wanted him to develop with the number one receiver corps and the offensive line. When given the chance to throw the ball, he showed great poise and excellent delivery. With the line’s poor performance in the fourth quarter, he did not get too many chances to score.
What’s Next For Alabama
Alabama (1-0) will host their first game of the 2020 College Football season against the #10 Texas A&M Aggies (1-0). The Aggies had a difficult time stopping the Vanderbilt Commodores as they won 17-12. Texas A&M might have not taken the Commodores seriously as they were likely looking into the matchup with the Crimson Tide early.
