Alabama Rolls Into Bye Week on Top

It’s week nine of this year’s college football season, and Alabama is still on top. The Crimson Tide haven’t lost, with an 8-0 overall record and 5-0 conference record to their name, and they’ve managed to win by an average of 30-plus points per game this season.

Teams like Penn State, Georgia and TCU aren’t too far behind in the polls, and the Tide still have to face ranked teams in LSU and Auburn down the stretch. However, Alabama is still the consensus number one team in the nation going forward.

Alabama on the Bye

Head coach Nick Saban talked about how his team might come out after the bye week, but didn’t cite any past statistics or records about his team’s results following the bye. He said they’re focusing on the “day to day” and getting ready for next weekend.

Coming into this weekend, the Tide lead the NCAA in total defense, allowing just an average of 236 yards per game. Alabama always sports the NCAA’s best rushing defense, allowing an average of 66.4 yards on the ground per game and 2.31 yards per rush. Alabama is second in the SEC in yards after sack with 156 and fifth in the conference in tackles (506).

On offense, the Tide are 12th in total production in the NCAA, averaging 499.8 yards per game. Alabama also leads the SEC with 3,998 total yards. Alabama has scored more than 40 points in all but two games, including a 59-0 shutout over Vanderbilt and a 66-3 victory Ole Miss. The Crimson Tide have allowed more than 20 points just once.

SEC 🏈 Power Rankings

1) @AlabamaFTBL
2) @FootballUGA
3) @AuburnFootball
4) @AggieFootball

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— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) October 24, 2017

The Tide’s Team Depth and Unselfishness

Alabama has depth in several key positions, but Saban admitted the lack of depth in other areas of the team. He said there’s an indication of team chemistry when players root for each other and want to do what’s best for the team.

Saban also responded to a statement about how running backs Bo Scarborough, Damien Harris and Josh Jacobs have said they’re happy with their roles. He said there are players who have personal goals and high aspirations, but wants them to stay focused on trying to do what helps make the team successful.

The Tide have several running backs they’ve been able to use in different roles, and in total, Scarborough, Harris and Jacobs have 1,245 yards combined on the ground this season. Freshman Najee Harris has also been in the mix this year with 282 yards and two touchdowns.

Preparing For LSU Next Week

With a week in between, Alabama still has its sights set for next weekend’s home matchup against LSU. This season, the Tide have put up eye-popping numbers on their home turf, and their home-road splits aren’t very close. Although, Alabama has only played two games on the road.

In Tuscaloosa, the Tide have put up 11 passing touchdowns and 20 rushing touchdowns over their five games compared to three and eight, respectively, on the road. Saban acknowledged LSU and Matt Canada’s offense and said they’ve been able to run the ball and make explosive plays as a result.

Running back Derrius Guice has 711 yards and six touchdowns and is averaging 5.7 yards per carry. He’s second in the SEC in rushing yards behind Auburn’s Kerryon Johnson.

The Tigers may be ranked 54th in total offense in the NCAA, but they’re third in the SEC with 3,342 yards and 417.8 yards per game. Over their last three games, all in October, LSU has 1,297 total yards and nine touchdowns.

Both sides are on a bye this week and will prepare for a key SEC West matchup on November 4th.

With the number one spot still in hand, Alabama will go into the weekend on top.