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5 reasons Alabama will repeat as national champions

By Brendan Dlubala

Oct 15, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide players celebrate their 49-10 victory with a traditional victory cigar after defeating the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide players celebrate their 49-10 victory with a traditional victory cigar after defeating the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 8, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) gets ready to throw during the second quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) gets ready to throw during the second quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Jalen Hurts and the Passing Game

For the third year in a row, Nick Saban has brought in a new starter at quarterback to begin the season. But this year, it is a bit different. Jalen Hurts runs the offense and has been surprisingly efficient at QB.

Hurts currently ranks 57th in passing yards but holds a 63.5 percent completion rate, which is above average this season for NCAA schools. He also averages 7.8 yards per completion and has nine touchdowns compared to three interceptions through 178 pass attempts. For a fresh starter, Hurts has been quite reliable and done well in Saban’s offense.

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While Jalen Hurts throws the ball, he has quite a bit of help at the wide receiver position. Calvin Ridley and ArDarius Stewart headline the WR corps. In an offense around the ground game, Ridley and Stewart have performed well. Both WRs have proven to be efficient and pretty threatening in Saban’s run/pass option scheme.

Ridley stands out the most amongst the group and has averaged 12.2 yards per reception. He currently has 477 of Hurts’ 1385 passing yards. Ridley also has four of Hurts’ nine passing touchdowns.

ArDarius Stewart has 379 yards on 26 receptions this season. That’s good enough for an average of 14.6 yards per reception. He’s also racked up three touchdowns this season. The 6’1” receiver likely won’t reach 1000 reception yards, but he has become a red zone threat for passing plays.

The run game is Saban’s bread and butter, but he needs a reliable quarterback to manage the game. Hurts this season has done that via the passing game but he’s also a big part of reason No. 3 of why Alabama is championship bound.

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