Alabama vs. Florida State: Preview, predictions, TV schedule and more
By John Buhler
Matchups to watch
Jalen Hurts vs. Derwin James
This will be the deciding matchup in the game. Who gets his side of the ball to execute better? Will it be Hurts and the Crimson Tide offense? Could it be James and the Florida State defense? These are the two driving forces behind their position groups. It should be exciting to see them attempt to play football chess on Saturday.
Hurts should have more confidence in playing quarterback for the Crimson Tide. However, he will have his third offensive coordinator in as many games. Lane Kiffin gave way to Steve Sarkisian who gave way to Brian Daboll.
James may be the most physically gifted player on defense in college football, but he is coming off an injury-shortened 2016 NCAA season. Though only a redshirt sophomore, James could be a top-five pick in the NFL Draft like Jalen Ramsey was in 2016.
Shaun Dion Hamilton vs. Cam Akers
This matchup is a little less hyped, but should be a good one. Shaun Dion Hamilton gets to take over the middle of the Alabama defense now that Reuben Foster is in the NFL. True freshman running back Cam Akers has the tough task of replacing Dalvin Cook in the Florida State backfield.
Hamilton has spent several seasons in this Alabama defense. He has seen Foster and Reggie Ragland before him run the linebacking corps to perfection before him. If he’s half as good as either of them, the Alabama defensive front-seven should be in good shape.
Akers has massive shoes to fill now that Cook plays for the Minnesota Vikings. However, Akers was a five-star recruit and the crown jewel of Fisher’s 2017 class. He doesn’t have to play as well as Cook did last year, but this is about as big of a first game a young running back can have in college football.