Bama On Line’s Travis Reier covers three topics ahead of Texas vs Alabama
In an effort to get to know the Alabama Crimson Tide in more depth, Inside Texas reached out to Travis Reier, a senior analyst who has been with Bama On Line since 2003.
Reier discusses Alabama’s leading indicators entering the season, how Bama’s quarterback and offensive line fared in Week 1, as well as Alabama’s injury uncertainty in the secondary.
Here’s a quick Q&A to start your morning.
1. I wrote an article heading into the season called Leading Indicators. Basically, it covers information and tea leaves that could foreshadow the type of team Texas will have this season. A lot of people tend to get hung up on lagging indicators but I’m curious what the leading indicators said about Alabama?
I guess Alabama’s would have pointed to an offense transitioning away from a quarterback-centric approach to one that leans more on a massive offensive line and talented stable of runners (including the quarterback). While there was plenty of turnover on the defensive side of the ball, UA welcomed back a wealth of talent, including a couple of coveted transfers in the secondary. With that, expecting more of a run-the-ball-play-defense-and-win-special-teams identity would have been the forecast from most who have watched the program under Nick Saban.
Travis Reier
2. What were your thoughts on quarterback Jalen Milroe and the O-line after the Middle Tennessee State game? Texas and Alabama seem to be similar in that the D-line is way ahead of the O-line at this point. That makes for an interesting game on Saturday.
Milroe did what he needed to do. First, he managed the offense in a way that allowed for a penalty-free performance. Some of that had to do with a pre-snap operation that took some of the burden off the quarterback position. He also kept the turnover column clean and put some completed deep balls on tape as the game wore on. While Milroe was effective as a runner, offensive coordinator Tommy Rees has a lot more in the tank where designed runs for Milroe are concerned.
For what Alabama wanted to do in an opener against an inferior opponent, the offensive line was solid. Rees pretty much offered up the same game plan for Middle Tennessee that he did for the spring game. There is still some competition going on at one of the guard spots, so it’ll be worth noting during pregame warmups.
Texas will obviously be geared up for UA’s running game. That’s where the play of Milroe will be important for a couple of reasons. I’m guessing from the outset he’ll be asked to supplement the run game. From there, he’ll need to deliver with his arm when one on ones in the passing game present themselves. It’ll start, though, with taking care of the ball.
3. With uncertainty in the secondary due to issues with Malachi Moore and Jaylen Key (Saban calls them day-to-day), how does depth and experience shake out? Caleb Downs is obviously a significant talent, but no matter the talent young guys play better with experience around them
A couple of weeks ago, Alabama had eight or nine defensive backs who were game ready. Fast forward to this week and it opened Texas preparation down three safeties (DeVonta Smith is also out). We’ll see how things shake out with Moore and Key but even if one or both play on Saturday, guys like Kristian Story (safety and money/dime), Trey Amos (corner) and Earl Little II (star) will need to be ready.
Story is a program veteran who doesn’t have much documented production on his resume. Amos, a transfer from Louisiana, already factors in at corner in the dime. If Moore can’t go, it could be that UA goes with starting corner Terrion Arnold at star in the nickel and dime packages. I think the defensive staff would feel pretty good about those two and Kool-Aid McKinstry at the corners and star. Early in the week, it was more of the safety and money (dime back) roles that were uncertain.
Texas and Alabama will kick off at 6:00 p.m. at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Crimson Tide opened as 7.5 point favorites.
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