David Pollack is fascinated by how No. 4 Alabama will conduct its offense this season now that quarterback Bryce Young is in the NFL. Many are predicting or expecting head coach Nick Saban to revert to his old-school style on offense.

However, the analyst can’t envision the icon figure turning the clock on back in 2023.

Pollack told ESPN’s Greg McElroy on “Always College Football” that it’s realistic to expect a ground and pound attack in this day and age of the sport.

“If they lean more on their defense and more on their run game they’re going to have put less on the quarterback’s shoulders. How can Alabama regain what they had 10 years ago?” Pollack said. “Maybe that murder-ball as opposed to a little bit more spread, a little bit more airing it out the last couple of years.”

Pollack wistfully remembers the days of smash mouth football but says the sport has evolved beyond it.

“Is Nick going to go back into his shell and play that kind of ball? I think ball has changed so much,” Pollack said. “I don’t think you can…I would love to tell you, you can win with defense and you can win with the run game. I don’t think so.”

However, Pollack is a major advocate of new offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, who he praises for his schemes and leadership.

“After watching Tommy Rees the last couple of years, I love that cat,” Pollack said. “I think he is really, really good. I think he brings an edge and a mentality to them. That dude don’t play around.”

Pollack is particularly bullish on Jalen Milroe in Reese’s offense if he gets the nod at quarterback.

“You think about Milroe in that offense and what he could do with his unbelievable freakish running ability,” Pollack said. “I find it hard to believe that’s what Nick will go back to but Rees does a great job of pre-snap motion and flooding zones. Unbelievable job of just understanding what defenses are in and using it against them.”

When reflecting on last season, Pollack notes a lot of Alabama’s success on offense hinged on the otherworldly talent of Young, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

“I was disappointed in their offensive line a year ago. I didn’t think they were very good…” Pollack said. “People didn’t understand how good Bryce Young was because he carried that offense at times. I was so disappointed in the structure.”

Alabama kicks off the regular season with a home matchup vs. Middle Tennessee on Sept. 2.