SEC Kickoff: Everything you need to know for Alabama vs. Western Carolina
Published:
Here’s everything you need to know about the meeting between Alabama and Western Carolina today on the SEC Network.
When: Saturday, Nov. 22
Where: Tuscaloosa, Ala., Bryant-Denny Stadium
Game Time: 4 p.m. ET
TV: SEC Network
Current Line: Alabama, -37.5
Game Buzz: Alabama gets a week off from SEC play after climbing to No. 1 in the College Football Playoff rankings. There’s certainly no looking ahead for a Nick Saban team, but Alabama is a heavy favorite against Western Carolina, coming from the Southern Conference.
Saturday Down South previews
- Early Opponent Analysis: Western Carolina
- What Nick Saban thinks about facing Western Carolina
- Alabama’s offense is as fun as ever
- Trey DePriest helping Alabama’s defense develop
ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE
Players to watch:
- QB Blake Sims
- RB T.J. Yeldon
- RB Derrick Henry
- WR Amari Cooper
- OL Cam Robinson
- DL Xzavier Dickson
- LB Trey DePriest
- LB Reggie Ragland
- S Landon Collins
Keys for Alabama:
- Dominate the lines. Alabama’s offensive line has been banged up in recent weeks, but they’re getting healthy at the right time. Meanwhile, the defensive front looked strong in shutting down Mississippi State a week ago. Continuing that domination up front will be crucial in keeping the team sharp for a possible playoff run.
- Win the turnover battle. The best way to limit an underdog is to take possessions away from them and not give the ball away. Alabama barely has a positive turnover margin, with 15 takeaways and 14 turnovers, but the defense should be working hard to get the ball today. Blake Sims will need to be accurate, just as he has been all season at home, and the running backs will have to hold onto the ball.
- Stay healthy. With the health of the offensive line and running back corps, Alabama can’t afford any more injuries. If the Tide can get up big early, they can get some reps for the backups while keeping the starters fresh.
Most interesting part of the game: Will Amari Cooper get enough work to set another school record? With 4 catches, Cooper takes over the career receptions at Alabama. Right now, he’s 3 catches short of D.J. Hall’s 191 career catches.
Team buzz: Alabama is back in the position they’ve become so accustomed to in the last decade, No. 1 in the rankings. While Nick Saban certainly isn’t overlooking the Catamounts, despite their FCS pedigree, the Iron Bowl next week is the real showdown. Alabama will execute as always on Saturday, and will have to try to keep their minds in the present.
WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS
Players to watch:
- QB Troy Mitchell
- RB Darrius Ramsey
- WR Terryon Robinson
- LB Christon Gill
- DL Caleb Hawkins
- DB Trey Morgan
Keys for Western Carolina:
- Don’t let Alabama get off to a fast start. If the Crimson Tide get out big, they can lean on the running game and throw to Amari Cooper selectively. Alabama hasn’t been quite as good when they’ve had to throw more often than run, so Western Carolina should hope to bottle up the running game.
- Make a big play. Be it a kick return, a pick-6 or a fumble recovery, the Catamounts will need to make something special happen to compete with the No. 1 team in the nation.
Most interesting part of the game: How much have the Catamounts improved? Two years ago, Western Carolina came to Tuscaloosa as one of the worst teams in FCS at 1-9. They’re greatly improved from then, entering this contest at 7-4. Will they put up a better effort than that 49-0 shellacking?
Team buzz: Western Carolina is already considering this season a success, with the most wins they’ve had since 2001. It would be unrealistic to expect an upset, but putting up a strong effort against the nation’s top team would be a big confidence boost for a program on the way up.
A former freelance journalist from Philadelphia, Brett has made the trek down to SEC country to cover the greatest conference in college football.
