The Alabama Crimson Tide are one of the best teams in the country, as their 9-0 record and No. 2 ranking in the College Football Playoff poll indicates.

However, the Tide are going to have to overcome some key injuries if they want to get back to the national championship game this season.

In a 24-10 win over LSU on Saturday, LBs Shaun Dion Hamilton and Mack Wilson went down with severe injuries and star DB Minkah Fitzpatrick was hobbled by a hamstring issue. On WJOX’s “The Opening Drive” on Monday morning, ESPN host Paul Finebaum said he’s starting to get concerned about the injuries piling up in Tuscaloosa:

“The injury situation is beginning to concern me at Alabama,” he said. “There will be that game soon where Alabama is going to have to make a stop and I really don’t like the direction of the defense with so many great players going out.

“That’s what happens, and I still think Alabama is better equipped than any other team in the country. You’ve got three incredibly difficult games left before the Playoff and will it be a factor or not is a legitimate question to ask.”

With games against Mississippi State, Auburn and potentially Georgia remaining on the schedule, the Tide’s depth will be tested in a big way.

As Finebaum said, the Crimson Tide backups are solid, but it’ll be interesting to see if they can continue to play at an elite level heading into the CFP.