Crimson Tide

Who Will Stop the Tide?

Alabama has beaten Texas A&M, LSU, Ole Miss, and other teams that have stood in their way. The Crimson Tide looks like they are going to win their third national championship in as many years. If they are going to win it all, they will have to finish the season against a hellacious schedule consisting of definite and indefinite opponents. They should win a laugher against Chattanooga, but things get real interesting after that game. Today, we take a look at teams that have the best chances of knocking off the back-to-back defending champs.

 

Auburn gets their shot against Alabama in the Iron Bowl on their home turf in a couple weeks. Auburn has regained their swagger under head coach Gus Malzahn. They are led by, the SEC’s leading rusher, Tre Mason as well as dual-threat quarterback Nick Marshall. In addition, Auburn has one of the best defenses in the SEC. This game will put the winner in the driver seat to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game. Also, the team will have a chance to play for a national championship. Did I mention that this was a rivalry game? 

 

 

Missouri will play in the conference’s championship game against Alabama if they win their last two games. Under Gary Pinkel, Missouri has been nothing short of a revelation this year. The big concern for this team is: Will quarterback James Franklin be healthy enough to play? Maty Mauk has shown he can play despite being a true freshman in the absence of Franklin. He has big play receivers in L’Damian Washington and Dorial Green-Beckham. The Tigers defense is nothing to snub your nose at either. South Carolina will be the team to take Missouri’s spot to play Alabama because they beat them head to head. The Gamecocks have more than Jadeveon Clowney as they have one of the top running backs in the SEC in Mike Davis. Connor Shaw’s ability to run at quarterback can provide headaches as well.

 

 

Florida State has looked like the best team in the NCAA at times. They have a Heisman hopeful quarterback in Jameis Winston and two good running backs in James Wilder Jr. and Devonta Freenman. They also have four or five guys that are game-breakers at wide receiver. Florida State’s defense will be key because they can cause turnovers led by Telvin Smith. This is the match up many college spectators want to see. Baylor can be the “Cinderella” of college football if they win out of the Big 12. Bryce Petty, like Winston, is a Heisman hopeful and he has Lache Seastrunk to run the ball. The Bears also have one of the most explosive receivers in college in Antwan Goodley. Baylor is a long shot to make it to Pasadena, but they are ranked third in the nation. If one of these two teams can run the table, they may have something to do with “stopping” the Crimson Tide of Alabama.