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College football 2019: Biggest trap game facing every Top 25 team

By Cody Williams

CLEMSON, SC - NOVEMBER 24: Tee Higgins #5 of the Clemson Tigers gets away from R.J. Roderick #10 of the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Clemson Memorial Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SC - NOVEMBER 24: Tee Higgins #5 of the Clemson Tigers gets away from R.J. Roderick #10 of the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Clemson Memorial Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 29: Tua Tagovailoa #13 and Henry Ruggs III #11 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrate the touchdown in the first quarter during the College Football Playoff Semifinal against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 29: Tua Tagovailoa #13 and Henry Ruggs III #11 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrate the touchdown in the first quarter during the College Football Playoff Semifinal against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

2. Alabama Crimson Tide

Biggest Trap Game: at Mississippi State (Nov. 16)

As is customary in the college football landscape, Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide appeared to be an unstoppable force last season. Whether it was in the regular season or in the College Football Playoff against Oklahoma, the Tide were rarely tested last season, outside of a battle in the SEC Championship Game against Georgia. Then came the National Championship Game when Clemson blew off Bama’s doors in a 41-16 loss.

Despite that demoralizing loss in the title game, the Crimson Tide enter the 2019 season with a world of hype surrounding them. Not only is quarterback Tua Tagovailoa one of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy after a breathtaking sophomore season, but he has a host of weapons that are also top-tier players, such as Jerry Jeudy, Najee Harris and Henry Ruggs III, that should make the Tide offense near unstoppable.

And, of course, the Alabama defense is certainly going to be a force as well. Particularly with defensive tackle Raekwon Davis electing to return to Tuscaloosa and with Dylan Moses in line to star at linebacker, the Crimson Tide should be a tough team for anyone to move the ball against this season.

Looking at the Crimson Tide schedule, though, it was hard to find a true recipe for a trap game, but the matchup against Mississippi State in Starkville fits the bill the most. Coming off of a crucial game against LSU and ahead of a cupcake game against Western Carolina and then the Iron Bowl, Alabama could look to take their foot off the gas against a Bulldogs team that is more than capable of pushing the Tide.