Rain-slicked turf and a hostile Lexington crowd await the Crimson Tide. Alabama must master its backfield committee and protect a redshirt freshman quarterback to survive this early SEC test.
It's only Week 2, but Alabama's SEC opener already carries plenty of weight.
And who would’ve thought that Alabama is already entering a ‘must-win’ game against the Kentucky Wildcats?
Conference games hold so much weight, and even though Kentucky is on the upswing this season, this is also a game that the Tide should win.
But it’s never that easy.
Kroger Field in Lexington is expected to be rocking, with a weather forecast of 65% chance of rain according to AccuWeather, and a fanbase that is ready to explode.
So with that being said, let’s get on with our three keys to the game for Saturday afternoon.
Keep Pounding the Rock
If what we’re hearing is true about the weather, this game is bound to be a rush-off.
And based on what we saw from the Crimson Tide last week, that shouldn’t be a problem.
Alabama used a full committee at running back last week, led by junior Daniel Hill, who ran for 47 yards on nine carries, along with two rushing touchdowns.
He was particularly impressive with his agility when cutting around defenders, but his willingness to embrace contact may have been even more encouraging.
If this game ends up being played in the rain, the run game needs to be clicking. If it’s not Hill, it needs to be Trae’shawn Brown. If it’s not Brown, then it needs to be Kevin Riley.
The problem here though, is the absence on the offensive line. It was reported earlier in the week that right guard Michael Carroll was doubtful for the Kentucky game, and it’s very likely he misses the game.
Carroll was the only returning starter on this Alabama offensive line, and it seems like William Sanders will step in for him.
Block Out the Noise
Apparently, Lexington is going to be loud.
It doesn’t matter what the weather is like, Wildcats coach Will Stein wants the Kentucky fans to be rocking Kroger Field.
“I want them in there 45-30 minutes before, standing up, screaming obscenities at our opponent, making them feel very unwanted at Kroger Field,” Stein said. “Sneak a flask in, do whatever you have to do.”
This will be quarterback Keelon Russell’s first test in a hostile environment, before the SEC competition gets even tougher.
However, according to Russell, pressure is just a mere blip on the radar.
“I mean, I went to Duncanville High School, so it’s been an atmosphere for me," Russell said regarding Week 1’s victory. “Pressure is a privilege, it wasn’t pressure but the atmosphere was great. And we are going to be having way bigger atmospheres longer down the road. I’m not going to say it was crazy for me to play in this atmosphere just because I play football. I go out there regardless of how big the atmosphere is, just playing football.”
The key for Russell won't necessarily be handling the noise itself, but communicating effectively at the line of scrimmage and avoiding the pre-snap mistakes that can come with playing in a hostile environment.
Spook Out Minchey
Head coach Kalen DeBoer has said it a few times. It’s peculiar that the Crimson Tide are playing an SEC game in Week 2.
But regardless, an early conference game will only get the juices flowing.
Kentucky quarterback Kenny Minchey may be a problem for Alabama. He has tremendous size for a quarterback, with an unflappable pocket presence, as we saw in Week 1 against Youngstown State.
What is also concerning for the Tide is Minchey’s ability to scramble when needed. His first option is almost never to run, but when coverage breaks, it’s the perfect time for Minchey to go.
Last season, Alabama had a lot of trouble with running quarterbacks.
LaNorris Sellers gave the Tide troubles last season, Tommy Castellanos ripped them in Week 1, and Diego Pavia had a decent rushing stretch in the Vanderbilt game.
Alabama needs to look out for the scramble, because if there’s a vulnerability there, then there will need to be adjustments.
