Alabama will be counting on many players to make an impact against Georgia on Saturday night. Here are some of the biggest x-factors.
Alabama plays Georgia this Saturday night at Sanford Stadium in Athens.
You can expect a hostile crowd (especially when Georgia is on defense) to try and rattle first-year starting quarterback Ty Simpson. The are some key matchups that Alabama needs to win. If Alabama can't run the football and stop the run, this can make for a long night for the Crimson Tide.
However, the Crimson Tide have other tools in the toolbox. They have dynamic playmakers and need protection up front for Simpson to play an effective game.
Below are list of critical x-factors that can secure a win for the Crimson Tide.
How effective will Jam Miller Be?
Jam Miller is coming back from a dislocated collarbone injury. He is expected to play against Georgia, per Kalen DeBoer. My guess is Jam is at 80% effectiveness. I am not questioning his health, but just how acclimated he will be to game speed vs. an elite defense. Also, how much chemistry does he have with the offensive line in terms of following. I am expecting that Jam will be Alabama's leading rusher Saturday, but they will phase him in giving him roughly 70% of typical workload. Alabama desperately needs an interior running presence. Jam will provide this, but his game speed will not be there 100%. He will still be a little hesitant/contact shy because of injury. He won't be quite as explosive and dynamic, due to hesitance with injury. He will get his feet under him, but more in the second and third quarter. Prediction 18 carries, 101 yards, 1 TD
Can the Alabama offensive line keep Ty Simpson upright?
Alabama's offensive line got exposed against Florida State. Tony White did some things scheme wise that made Ty Simpson very uncomfortable. The players were looping on the edges, and creating havoc in the backfield. Florida State totaled three sacks on the day, but Simpson was under pressure the whole game. The No. 1 matchup to look for is how Kadyn Proctor fairs against his opponent. Proctor had a rough game vs. Florida State. The defensive ends beat him inside and exposed his ability to recover. If the pocket is not there for Ty Simpson, you can expect a different type of game than the last two, where Simpson was upright and could make plays.
Can Ryan Williams have a breakout game vs. Georgia?
Williams had a monster performance last season vs. Georgia. He had six catches for 177 yards and two touchdowns. He will need a similar performance this season for Alabama to win. He is the most dynamic player on the field, and Alabama needs him to stretch the field to win this game. Georgia's secondary gave up some passing touchdowns to include a 72-yard play. Williams has to be the difference IMO. He needs to get open and allow Alabama to score fast. That will open things up for the Alabama running game and Germie Bernard. Simpson has to have protection to be effective on deep routes. Ryan Williams takes the top off a defense, and Alabama needs a couple touchdowns from him to win Saturday. I don't think Alabama wins Saturday, by playing ball control offense vs. Georgia. Simpson and Williams have to connect to give Alabama a competitive edge. Georgia doesn't have a player as dynamic as Williams. Alabama has to capitalize on this. Prediction: 5 catches, 132 yards, 1 TD
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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama football X-factors to win vs. Georgia Bulldogs in Week 5
Category: General Sports
