JUST IN:3 Pitfalls Hidden in The 2023 Schedule for Alabama Football…Read more
“The Crimson Tide’s 2023 Schedule Minefield: 3 Under-the-Radar Matchups That Could Trip Up Nick Saban’s Alabama Football Team”
Alabama football has its fall schedule set, and Kalen DeBoer is eyeing a national championship in his first year as head coach of the Crimson Tide. Typically, Alabama fans look forward to the games against Ole Miss, Arkansas, Mississippi State, and Texas A&M.
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However, the Southeastern Conference has eliminated divisions, so those four teams are not on Alabama’s schedule for the upcoming season. Despite this, Alabama still has a challenging lineup, including games against Georgia, Tennessee, LSU, Auburn, South Carolina, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Oklahoma. While Georgia, Tennessee, LSU, and Auburn are anticipated to be competitive matchups for Alabama, there are also three potential trap games that could be problematic if Alabama isn’t cautious. These matchups are highlighted for fans to keep an eye on.
The Southeastern Conference has done away with divisions, meaning Alabama won’t face those four teams in the upcoming season. Nevertheless, Alabama’s schedule remains tough, with games against Georgia, Tennessee, LSU, Auburn, South Carolina, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Oklahoma. The matchups against Georgia, Tennessee, LSU, and Auburn are expected to be particularly challenging, but there are also three potential trap games that could cause trouble if Alabama isn’t careful. These games are ones for fans to watch closely.
Wisconsin, which went 7-6 last year under Luke Fickell, will host Alabama at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 14, at 11 a.m. CT on FOX. This early road game in week three will be a significant test for Coach DeBoer’s team in his first year. Although few expect Wisconsin to have a strong roster, the crowd will create a challenging environment, making it a true road test for the Crimson Tide.
Wisconsin boasts talented players like wide receivers Will Pauling and Bryson Green, and safety Hunter Wohler, who led the team with 120 tackles last season. Wohler also had 5.5 tackles for loss, a sack, six pass breakups, four quarterback hurries, and two interceptions. Additionally, Wisconsin’s top pass rusher, Darryl Peterson, who had 10 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, four quarterback hurries, and two pass breakups in 2023, will be a threat to Alabama’s offensive line, which allowed 44 sacks of Jalen Milroe last season. Junior cornerback Ricardo Hallman, one of the best in the nation, is back after leading Wisconsin with seven interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown.
Normally, Alabama fans look forward to their games against Ole Miss, Arkansas, Mississippi State, and Texas A&M. However, with the Southeastern Conference eliminating divisions, these teams are not on Alabama’s schedule this season. Instead, Alabama faces a tough lineup including Georgia, Tennessee, LSU, Auburn, South Carolina, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Oklahoma. Georgia, Tennessee, LSU, and Auburn are expected to be strong opponents, but there are three potential trap games to watch out for:
Wisconsin Badgers: Wisconsin ended last season 7-6 under new head coach Luke Fickell. They will host Alabama at Camp Randall Stadium on September 14th. While Wisconsin isn’t expected to have a standout roster, the challenging atmosphere and early game timing pose a significant test for Alabama. Key players include wide receivers Will Pauling and Bryson Green, top tackler Hunter Wohler, and pass rusher Darryl Peterson. Cornerback Ricardo Hallman, who had seven interceptions last year, is also a standout.
Missouri Tigers: Missouri, under Eli Drinkwitz, had a breakthrough with 11 wins in 2023, including a Cotton Bowl victory over Ohio State. Positioned between road games against Tennessee and LSU, Missouri is a potential trap game for Alabama. Returning quarterback Brady Cook and wide receiver Luther Burden III lead the offense, supported by Mookie Cooper, Marquis Johnson, and tight end Brett Norfleet. Defensively, Johnny Walker Jr., Triston Newson, and Dylan Carnell are key players.
Oklahoma Sooners: After a challenging first season in 2022, Brent Venables led Oklahoma to a 10-2 record last year. Oklahoma is another difficult matchup for Alabama, sandwiched between games against Mercer and Auburn.
The Crimson Tide will host Auburn and Mercer at home, but will travel to Norman, Oklahoma, to take on the Sooners on Saturday, November 23rd. Jackson Arnold will step in for Dillon Gabriel at quarterback. However, Oklahoma boasts running backs Gavin Sawchuck and Tawee Walker, with Sawchuck leading the team with 744 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, while Walker contributed 513 rushing yards and seven scores. The Sooners also have a talented group of wide receivers, including Nic Anderson, Jahlil Farooq, Andrea Anthony, Jayden Gibson, and Brenen Thompson. Anderson, who caught 38 passes in 2023, shares the team lead with 10 touchdowns. Defensively, Oklahoma returns key players such as leading tackler Danny Stutsman, who had 104 tackles and a variety of other contributions, and Ethan Downs on the defensive line. Additionally, Billy Bowman returns as a playmaker in the secondary with six interceptions, three of which were returned for touchdowns. Under Venables’ leadership, Oklahoma is on the rise and aims to prove its competitiveness in the SEC, meaning Alabama cannot afford to underestimate the Sooners.
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