Nick Saban and the rest of the Alabama football team haven’t seen many losses over the last decade — 19 to be exact.

As impressive as that 10-year run has been, they’ve only managed to go undefeated in the regular season three times — ’08, ’09 and ’16. Two of those three undefeated seasons (’09 and ’16) saw them make it through the SEC Championship Game without a loss.

It’s hasn’t been an easy task for the Tide, and this season will be no different.

If Alabama wants to emerge as the top seed in the College Football Playoff with an undefeated record, it needs to overcome these five things.

1. A potential quarterback controversy

This is not a drill, people. There could actually be a quarterback controversy brewing in Tuscaloosa.

No, not because Alabama is looking to make a change at this time, but because Tua Tagovailoa has passed every conceivable test that he’s been given so far with flying colors.

The first-year quarterback — it’s time to stop calling him a freshman because he clearly doesn’t play like one — came in against Tennessee when the game was 28-0, and he proceeded to complete 75 percent of his passes for 134 yards and a touchdown.

Tu — as offensive coordinator Brian Daboll likes to call him — did throw an interception that resulted in Tennessee’s lone touchdown to close out his first drive, but he bounced back with a flawless performance the rest of the game.

That speaks volumes for Tagovailoa’s ability to overcome adversity, which is encouraging for such a young quarterback.

He added 36 yards on the ground, including this 23-yard touchdown run:

Saban and company aren’t trying to uproot Jalen Hurts as the starting quarterback, but it’s hard to ignore how impressive Tagovailoa has looked.

2. Overly rested defensive starters

If you want to know the Achilles heel of this Alabama defense, look no further than the national championship game in 2016 against Clemson and this year’s game against Texas A&M.

In both cases, the Tide’s defense was gassed late in the game.

It’s been incredible to see Alabama break the SEC record for point differential over the course of its first five conference games (238-38), but those blowouts could come back to haunt the Tide.

Saban is in a tough spot because if you’re annihilating an opponent, you don’t leave the starters in — that can be taken as disrespectful, and you risk injuries — but he needs to figure out a way to prepare them for four quarters of physical, tiring football.

3. Going to Jordan-Hare to face Auburn

Before the season even started, the Iron Bowl was already receiving a lot more hype than it has in recent years. And while Auburn has two losses, the Tigers are more than capable of handing Alabama its first loss of the season.

When you get down to it, the Tide hasn’t played a complete team yet.

Here’s a look at how Auburn can beat you:

  • The running backs: Kerryon Johnson and Kamryn Pettway already have over 1,000 yards and 19 touchdowns between them this season.
  • The quarterback: Jarrett Stidham is third in the SEC in passing yards (1,728), fourth in passer rating (151.58) and first in completion percentage (65.8).
  • The defense: Marlon Davidson, Carlton Davis and Jeff Holland, who leads the SEC in sacks (8), help make up the nation’s No. 14 overall defense.
  • Special teams: Daniel Carlson is considered one of the best kickers in the country.

To top it off, Alabama has to travel to Auburn for the game.

4. Potentially playing Georgia a week after Auburn

Make no mistake, the Iron Bowl will be one of the most physically draining games that Alabama will play this season.

Let’s say that the Tide comes out on top.

What’s next?

Well, maybe the better question would be “who” is next? That would be none other than the No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs — at least, it should be.

 

It’s scary how similar these two teams are on paper. Georgia is behind Alabama is most statistical categories, but it’s not by much.

If the Tide ends up having to play the Bulldogs in the SEC Championship Game, it’ll only be a week after the draining game against Auburn.

5. The continuance of injuries

It’s been extraordinary how Alabama has managed to railroad almost every opponent despite suffering an abnormal amount of injuries.

Here’s an ongoing list of the guys who have been forced to miss games due to injury:

  • RB Josh Jacobs (hamstring) – returned
  • LB Terrell Hall (torn ligament, elbow) – out for the season
  • TE Miller Forristall (torn ACL) – out for the season
  • LB Christian Miller (torn biceps) – could return for the SEC championship
  • LB Anfernee Jennings (sprained ankle) – returned
  • LB Rashaan Evans (groin) – returned
  • DL Da’Shawn Hand (MCL strain) – could return against LSU

That’s quite a few losses — especially defensively.

The hope is that Alabama can avoid running into any more significant injuries. If they can’t, it could have a major impact on the team’s chances of rolling into the College Football Playoff with an undefeated record.

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