For the first time since January 7, 2010. Two of the biggest brands in college football will play in Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Since Texas vs Alabama National Championship game, a lot has happened with both programs. Texas has had major ups and downs, playing in two Big 12 Championship games. But also has had three 5-7 seasons including under Steve Sarkisian in 2021. As for Alabama, they’ve had to hold off Texas from poaching Nick Saban back in 2013. Since that National Championship Nick Saban has won 5 more National Championships at Alabama, is 7-0 in SEC Championships, hasn’t won less than 10 games, and is now regarded as the best college football coach ever.
Texas vs Alabama Offensive Comparison
After Texas played Louisiana-Monroe in Week 1. And Alabama played Utah State. They meet Saturday afternoon in Austin. This game will most likely be between the quarterbacks and who makes the least costly mistakes. 2021 number 1 overall recruit Quinn Ewers & 2021 Heisman winner Bryce Young. Texas vs Alabama will feature two quarterbacks that have the weapons and arm talent to make this game a shootout. This future SEC matchup will be a great litmus test to know whether Texas is mentally stronger and whether Steve Sarkisian is the right coach for Texas.
Texas Offense Week 1
Offensively for Texas, they were explosive & precise in their execution last Saturday night vs ULM. Quinn struggled on the first drive but made a read to Ja’Tavion Sanders not many quarterbacks playing on Sunday make for his first touchdown as the Texas quarterback. After starting 0/2 with an interception. Quinn finished 16/22 for 225 yards and 2 touchdowns. Kelvin Banks had a bad play, then bullied a defender leaving a huge hole for Roschon Johnson to have a 16-yard touchdown. Bijan Robinson had a quiet, but impactful night averaging 7.1 yards per carry. The first team offensive line was dominant against an inferior ULM defense. No receivers were big in the passing game. Xavier Worthy did have a big punt return at the end of the half. To help Texas gain a 24-3 halftime lead. And Ja’Tavion Sanders had the first leading receiving game by a tight end since Jermichael Finley in the 2007 Red River rivalry game.
Alabama Offense Week 1
Alabama had 6 new receivers to break in vs Utah State. And if I showed what they did after the catch, you’d never believe me if I told you Bryce Young didn’t have 200 yards passing in the season opener. Or that he threw for less than 65% passing the ball. It was a highlight reel of open receivers making 1, 2, and sometimes 3 guys miss. Jermaine Burton and Traeshon Holden each had 5 catches and 2 touchdowns. Jahmyr Gibbs looked like an All-ACC running back. At the point of attack, the Utah State front seven had some moments. But Alabama’s offensive line just dominated and left a hole wherever they liked. The running game racked up 278 yards to open the season. To no one’s surprise a fast, strong, and tough Alabama is rolling into Austin next week. A Texas secondary that has found some possible extra answers has an important task in sure tackling & storming to the ball this week.
Texas vs Alabama Defense Comparison
For Texas, they return 6 of their 8 top leading tacklers from 2021. It wasn’t a great defense, but many players key to 2022 will finally have a year 2 under a defensive coordinator. They will have their work cut out for them as the Alabama offense is explosive themselves. For Alabama, they returned 6 of their top 8 leading tacklers from 2021 as well. They have their top 2 sack leaders back as well, Heisman finalists Will Anderson Jr. and Dallas Turner. They had 17.5 sacks and 8.5 sacks, respectively.
Texas Defense Week 1
For a Texas defense that struggled in 2021. No better way to start 2022 than with a 3 and out. A blocked punt by D’Shawn Jamison and a return for a touchdown by Keilan Robinson. D’Shawn Jamison also had a pick 6 in what was a great first 2022 outing for the senior. The first unit only gave up 3 points off an interception. DeMarvion Overshown was all over the field. Barryn Sorrell had 1.5 sacks, and Texas had 3 as a team. Jaylon Guilbeau was very impressive from the slot cornerback position. In a spread it out Big 12, Texas looks to have at least 4 dependable options at the corner position with D’Shawn Jamison, Jaylon Guilbeau, Jahdae Barron, and Ryan Watts.
Alabama Defense Week 1
As shocking as it is Bryce Young threw for 195 yards. It’s equally as not shocking Utah State’s leading passer only had 39 yards on 33% completions. Will Anderson Jr and Dallas Turner absolutely dominated the tackles. So much so that each only having 1 quarterback hurry and no sacks almost seems impossible. All 3 levels proved to be too much for Utah State. The offensive line couldn’t hold up. 3 guys ran more than 4 times, none had more than 2.8 yards per carry. The receivers, well 36.4% passing as a team, that’s all you need to know about how well Alabama secondary played this past Saturday night. If the Texas offensive line can limit the production of Will Anderson Jr and Dallas Turner as well as Utah State managed to, Texas has the skill positions to keep it close.
Texas vs Alabama Conclusion
With the new additions to Alabama offensively, Texas should be able to stay relatively close this Saturday. The Alabama defense will give the offensive line issues, but the Texas skill positions leave very little room for error. I believe Texas covers this week. The 10th Texas vs Alabama game will be won by the Crimson Tide 42-27 in this week 2 game.
With CBS reporting Texas and Oklahoma could move to the SEC quicker than expected. Check out why Texas and Oklahoma should accelerate that move.
https://texas-talk.com/2022/07/05/texas-sec-move-accelerated/
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