It’s been another perfect start for Alabama. The team is 7-0 (4-0) and coming off another big win with a 41-9 blowout against Arkansas.

With teams such as LSU, Auburn and potentially Georgia in the coming weeks, the second half of the season could prove to be much more difficult, however.

Here are eight predictions for the second half of Alabama’s season:

1. Hurts finds the deep ball

Coming into the game against Arkansas, Jalen Hurts was just 1-of-18 on passes traveling more than 20 yards downfield. He did start to show signs of life with his deep passing game against the Razorbacks, however.

He completed a 29-yard pass to Jerry Jeudy midway through the first quarter and then a 27-yard strike to Calvin Ridley on a key third-down conversion early in the second.

If he can start connecting consistently on those passes, Alabama’s offense might become unstoppable.

2. Jeudy becomes the No. 2 option in the passing game

Right now, Robert Foster is Alabama’s No. 2 receiver behind Hurts’ go-to guy, Calvin Ridley. That may not be the case much longer, however.

Slowly, Jerry Jeudy, a 5-star true freshman, is taking the reins.

Jeudy is a smooth, savvy route-runner who shows an impressive catch radius and strong hands. With Foster’s recent struggles, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Jeudy start to emerge as Alabama’s next elite receiver.

He is, after all, second on the team in receiving yards (160) behind Ridley (441) despite not receiving as many snaps as Foster.

3. Pruitt finds a way to get Wilson more involved

Alabama’s logjam at inside linebacker has gotten messy for DC Jeremy Pruitt. There are many talented players who deserve to see more snaps, but none have been making the case like Mack Wilson has lately.

Despite limited reps, Wilson has racked up 20 tackles and two QB hurries. His most impressive work has been in coverage, however.

The sophomore has one pass deflection and two interceptions, second-most on the team. Here’s one of those:

4. The defensive line starts to resemble the one from last season

After starting the season with five sacks in the first four games (1.25 per game), Alabama’s defense has turned it on to the tune of 14 over the last three (4.67 per game).

At the end of Week 4, Alabama’s defense line — including edge rushers — only had managed to earn three of the team’s five sacks (60 percent). They’ve accounted for 9.5 of the team’s 14 since then (67.9 percent), including 3.5 from Raekwon Davis.

It was a rough start trying to replace Jonathan Allen, Tim Williams and Ryan Anderson, but the Tide’s defensive front may have finally found its groove.

5. Jacobs overtakes Scarbrough as the No. 2 running back

Damien Harris is the guy for Alabama. His team-leading 625 rushing yards and nine touchdowns act as a confirmation of that statement. A lot of people look at junior power back Bo Scarbrough as the No. 2 guy.

Yes, it’s true that Scarbrough is currently the second man up, and he does actually lead all the running backs in carries with 72. With that said, Josh Jacobs could end up pushing him for snaps.

Of course, there will continue to be situations — grinding the clock — where Scarbrough’s skill-set provides value, but Jacobs is a much better option as a change-of-pace to Harris.

Right now, Scarbrough is second on the team in receptions (11), but he’s only turned that into 86 yards. Jacobs’ elusiveness in the open field would provide an extremely valuable, safe presence for Hurts in the passing game.

6. Alabama starts seeing more defensive touchdowns

It would be almost impossible to replicate the level of success that Alabama’s defense had scoring points last season. The Tide did, after all, end the year with 11 touchdowns on that side of the ball.

This season hasn’t produced as much success. Alabama only has one so far, but that could change in a hurry.

Alabama’s pass rush is starting to find its groove, and that should lead to more bad decisions by opposing quarterbacks.

Don’t be surprised to see Alabama take a few to the house in the second half of the season.

7. Pappanastos kicks his way to All-SEC honor

Don’t look now, but Andy Pappanastos has climbed his way into fourth in the conference in conversion percentage on his 15 field goal attempts (80 percent). That’s higher than Auburn’s Daniel Carlson (77.8 percent), who is considered one of — if not the — best kickers in college football.

After starting the season just 3-of-5 against Florida State, Pappanastos may have found his groove, which could lead to individual conference awards at the end of the season.

8. Wallace makes the postseason All-America team

As if Alabama didn’t already have enough talent, they go and develop a former walk-on into an All-America candidate.

Levi Wallace has been outstanding for the Tide this season. He leads the team in interceptions (3) and pass deflections (9) — next closest are Anthony Averett and Minkah Fitzpatrick, who both have 4 — and he has the only defensive touchdown for Alabama this season.

In fact, Wallace has already made the First-Team Midseason AP All-America team.


Don’t expect Wallace Island to be shutting down anytime soon.

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