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Alabama football: 5 bold predictions for the Crimson Tide in 2020

By Cody Williams

TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 09: Jaylen Waddle #17 of the Alabama Crimson Tide warms up prior to the game against the LSU Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 9, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 09: Jaylen Waddle #17 of the Alabama Crimson Tide warms up prior to the game against the LSU Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 9, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /
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Alabama football (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

Bold predictions for Alabama football in the 2020 season. 

Considering how dominant Alabama football has been in the SEC and on a national scale under Nick Saban’s watch, anything less than competing for a National Championship is a disappointment. Subsequently, the 2019 season for the Crimson Tide has to be labeled a letdown, even if the team went 11-2 and ended their season with a dominant Citrus Bowl win over Michigan.

Now starts a new era in Tuscaloosa, though. Tua Tagovailoa has gone to the NFL, perhaps the greatest college wide receiver group ever has departed too and the defense has to replace some key veterans. Then again, this is Alabama — and that means that they’re ready to reload and compete for another title.

Because it’s the Crimson Tide, it’s often hard to get bold when looking at their outlook for a given season. But that’s what we’re going to do here, making five bold predictions for Alabama football in the 2020 season.

Alabama football bold prediction No. 5: Jaylen Waddle tops 1,300 yards, 12 TDs

Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle is already a known commodity. The true junior has been an impact player for Alabama from the moment that he arrived on campus in Tuscaloosa. As a freshman, he racked up 45 catches for 848 yards and seven touchdowns along with 16 punt returns for 233 yards and a score. He followed that up last year with 33 catches for 560 yards and six scores while returning 20 punts for 487 yards and another touchdown in addition to returning five kicks for 175 yards and yet another trip to the end zone.

Every team in the SEC is well aware of the type of playmaking that Waddle is capable of. There’s a reason that teams chose to punt away from him quite often. But as a receiver, the reason that Waddle saw a dip in his production in 2019 is simply because of where he was in the pecking order. Now that Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III are in the professional ranks, though, it’s the Waddle and DeVonta Smith show. And Waddle is finally going to get the opportunity to be a superstar.

Last season, Smith led the Crimson Tide with 1,256 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns while Jeudy was second on the team with 1,163 yards and 10 scores. Smith may put up similar numbers but Waddle will step into the hole left by both Jeudy and Ruggs, being a downfield and underneath threat that can go the distance at any time the ball is thrown his way. The result will be a 1,300+ yard season and easily topping a dozen touchdowns on the year.

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