All for Tennessee SEC Power Rankings Week Two: Are Texas A&M and Auburn Catching Alabama?
Sep 5, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban with his team for the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Derrick Henry has now taken the coveted starting running back spot at Alabama and torched Wisconsin’s defense behind a new unit at offensive line. Coker, meanwhile, was extremely efficient, completing 15 of 21 passes for 213 yards and one touchdown, and then Cooper Bateman went seven of eight for 51 yards. So the quarterbacks were fine, and Lane Kiffin’s coaching still seems to be no issue.
Meanwhile, Henry and then Kenyan Drake combined for 215 yards rushing and four touchdowns.
This was all against a team that won the Big Ten West last year and beat the Auburn Tigers in the Outback Bowl, and they also brought home their former offensive coordinator who could max their personnel as their new head coach.
So, despite Ohio State’s dominance over them last year, the Wisconsin Badgers were no easy pushover, which is why they belonged in the preseason Top 25. But Alabama just dominated them.
The Tide built a 28-7 third-quarter lead and could have won by more had they not called of the dogs after that and stuck to the ground game. So with a solid offense to match an elite defense, watch out for what this team can do this year.
Instead of the SEC closing the gap on Alabama, Saban’s team might have expanded its dominance over the conference. But we will have to wait and see.
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1
Alabama Crimson Tide 1-0 (0-0)
Last week: Defeated Wisconsin Badgers 35-17
Last rank: 1
Not only did the Alabama Crimson Tide solidify their top spot in the SEC Power Rankings under Nick Saban this past weekend with their dominant victory over the Wisconsin Badgers. They stated a strong case to be the No. 1 team in the country as well.
Going into the season, we knew that Alabama’s defense might be the best Saban has had since arriving in Tuscaloosa, which is saying a heck of a lot. But there were concerns about a lack of offensive experience and what Jacob Coker could do as the starting quarterback. Those concerns were eliminated Saturday.
Derrick Henry has now taken the coveted starting running back spot at Alabama and torched Wisconsin’s defense behind a new unit at offensive line. Coker, meanwhile, was extremely efficient, completing 15 of 21 passes for 213 yards and one touchdown, and then Cooper Bateman went seven of eight for 51 yards. So the quarterbacks were fine, and Lane Kiffin’s coaching still seems to be no issue.
Meanwhile, Henry and then Kenyan Drake combined for 215 yards rushing and four touchdowns.
This was all against a team that won the Big Ten West last year and beat the Auburn Tigers in the Outback Bowl, and they also brought home their former offensive coordinator who could max their personnel as their new head coach.
So, despite Ohio State’s dominance over them last year, the Wisconsin Badgers were no easy pushover, which is why they belonged in the preseason Top 25. But Alabama just dominated them.
The Tide built a 28-7 third-quarter lead and could have won by more had they not called of the dogs after that and stuck to the ground game. So with a solid offense to match an elite defense, watch out for what this team can do this year.
Instead of the SEC closing the gap on Alabama, Saban’s team might have expanded its dominance over the conference. But we will have to wait and see.