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Alabama Crimson Tide: The Best Team in College Football

By Aaron Ferguson

Nov 8, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban celebrates after an overtime win against the LSU Tigers in a game at Tiger Stadium. Alabama defeated LSU 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban celebrates after an overtime win against the LSU Tigers in a game at Tiger Stadium. Alabama defeated LSU 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Why the Alabama Crimson Tide is the best team in college football

Alabama is coming off a 25-20 win over previously top-ranked Mississippi State and has the best resume over the top 10 schools following last week’s games.

The Crimson Tide had previously beaten 15th-ranked LSU 20-13 in overtime on the road and 21st-ranked Texas A&M in a 59-0 beat down.  Alabama also owns a neutral-site win over West Virginia, who is a top-30 team and beat Baylor earlier this season.  Their lone loss of the season came 23-17 against Ole Miss who would be ranked as high as 3rd this season.  That loss came down to the final possession where Blake Sims threw an interception to cost Alabama a chance to win.

If you are a fan of the eye test, Alabama passes the test with three wins over top-25 teams, including the top team in the country.  With a 3-1 record against top 25 teams and a win over a previously ranked team in West Virginia, Alabama appears to control their own destiny to the top overall seed.

The saying goes, “offense wins games, but defense wins championships”.  Head coach Nick Saban prides his teams off of great defenses and this year’s defense is elite.  Alabama’s defense is ranked first in total yards per game, allowing just 250 yards per game.  Opponents are rushing for 94.6 yards per game against the Crimson Tide, which is good for third in the country.  Their pass defense is 23rd in the country allowing 194.6 passing yards per game, so there is room for improvement with two games left on their schedule.

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Being able to stop a dual-threat quarterback is one of the most difficult things to do in the game today.  Mississippi State’s Dak Prescott accumulated 372 total yards, however he threw three interceptions.  Alabama’s defense shut down the Bulldogs offense to begin the game, including forcing a safety when Mississippi State started on their own five yard line.  The Tide were able to control the tempo due to their defensive success, which allowed Alabama to take a comfortable 19-0 lead early in the game.

Alabama’s defense is allowing 14.5 points per game through the first 10 games of the season.  Only SEC-foe Ole Miss is better allowing 11.9 points per game.  With games against Western Carolina and arch rival Auburn still remaining, Alabama’s has a chance to shine and close the season strong.

With the defense being Alabama’s strength, their offense has a little less pressure.  The Tide’s offense ranks 23rd in the country averaging 472.1 yards per game.  The rushing game leads the offensive attack, but the Crimson Tide are balanced.  With tough running backs in T.J. Yeldon and Derrick Henry, the Tide are 35th in their rushing attack averaging 197.9 yards per game.  Blake Sims has emerged as a top quarterback in the country with the passing attack averaging 274.2 yards per game.  Using the run to set up the pass, Alabama is averaging 14 yards per completion.  The balanced attack gives opposing defenses a lot to focus on as Alabama has scored 42 touchdowns with 21 being on the ground and the other 21 through the air.

Nov 15, 2014; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Amari Cooper (9) catches a touchdown pass defended by Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive back Jay Hughes (3) in the second quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2014; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Amari Cooper (9) catches a touchdown pass defended by Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive back Jay Hughes (3) in the second quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /

Wide Receiver Amari Cooper leads the receiving corps of Alabama’s passing attack with 1,303 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns through the first 10 games of the season.  Cooper is Sims favorite target with 44.3 percent of all of Alabama’s passes completed going to Cooper and 47.5 percent of the receiving yardage this season.  Cooper is the frontrunner for the Biletnikoff award, which is awarded to the nation’s top receiver.

It’s easy to be critical of a high-powered and successful program like Alabama.  It seemed that the majority of fans were ready for Lane Kiffin to be fired after the Ole Miss game, but Alabama has been one of the most productive offenses this season.  With the two-headed rushing attack of Yeldon and Henry and the great receiving threats in Cooper and tight end O.J. Howard, the Tide’s offense has a lot of weapons to work with.

Alabama will beat Western Carolina handily, but the true test will come in an attempt to avenge their last-second loss to Auburn last season in the Iron Bowl.  Playing in Tuscaloosa and in front of a home crowd will be big for the Tide.  Auburn is the only team that stands in the way of Alabama clinching a spot in the SEC Championship game.  The Tide’s rush defense will be tasked to stop a potent rushing attack.

Alabama is ranked number one in the new poll by the playoff committee that came out on Tuesday.  Their elite defense and balanced offense will continue to frustrate opponents as they look to win-out and continue the tradition of their dynasty by winning another National Championship.

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