Iron Bowl infants: Inexperience could hurt Bama

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Iron Bowl infants: Inexperience could hurt Alabama against Auburn

Today 6:45 AM

4-6 minutes

Alabama Football

Laura Chramer

Two weeks ago Mac Jones was the Crimson Tide’s reserve quarterback to All-American Tua Tagovailoa. Now he is center stage against the the best defensive line the country.

On the line for Alabama is a chance at the College Football Playoff.

No pressure, kid.

For the third year in a row, an Alabama backup quarterback is in a position to be an unlikely hero for the Crimson Tide. Backup quarterbacks helped Alabama to a national championship in 2017, and a SEC championship in 2018. Now, in 2019, they’ll need another special effort from a recent backup to win the Iron Bowl.

Alabama has remained dominant year over year through the last decade because of its roster depth, but the NFL Draft, injuries and transfers have depleted college football’s perennial power. This Iron Bowl feels like a tipping point for the Crimson Tide. The dynasty isn’t in decline, but doubt is creeping into the cracks of the foundation.

A dominant performance against battle-tested Auburn this year would make a powerful statement considering everything this team has been through. Alabama will be motivated to win this Iron Bowl for Tua, but just earning a victory on the road is going to be difficult.

Can Jones get his talented receivers the ball under a level of duress he has never faced in a college game? That’s the game in a nutshell for Alabama, and that’s what the College Football Playoff committee will want to know.

Jones started last week against Western Carolina, and he started earlier this season against Arkansas, but those games should be viewed as glorified practices compared to what he’ll be facing in the Iron Bowl. Western Carolina is an FCS opponent and Arkansas, which has already fired its coach midseason, is historically awful.

Keep is simple. That’s the plan for Jones, who has a cast of All-American receivers to make him look good in his Iron Bowl debut.

“Don’t overcomplicate it,” Jones said after the victory against Arkansas. “Get the ball to the playmakers.”

Solid plan until Auburn defensive linemen Derrick Brown, Marlon Davidson and Big Kat Bryant are closing in. Jones hasn’t seen the type of pressure he’s going to face in Jordan-Hare Stadium. He’ll most likely use quick, safe passes and short drops against Auburn’s formidable front line.

“That’s why football is the best team sport,” Jones said. “You can throw it five yards, and they can work for you.”

Alabama is favored to win, but only slightly now that Jones is the starting quarterback. Auburn might have three losses, but all those games were close and against some of the top teams in the country: No.11 Florida, No.4 Georgia and No.1 LSU.

Plenty around college football are already counting Alabama out of the College Football Playoff based on the loss of Tua. Alabama is vulnerable for other reasons, too.

The Crimson Tide has started a slew of freshmen on defense this season, and they haven’t yet won a big game against an equally talented opponent. In its loss to LSU, Alabama’s defense couldn’t stop the Tigers on key drives in the second half when its offense was surging and scoring at will.

These are Iron Bowl infants for Alabama, and just winning the big game might not be enough for the youngsters. The College Football Playoff committee is skeptical of this Alabama team, and it will be watching the Crimson Tide with a critical eyes.

It’s no secret Auburn has struggled offensively this season against quality opponents. If the Tigers suddenly look like juggernauts against Alabama, that could be enough for a subjective College Football Playoff committee to penalize Alabama win or lose.

Liabilities on defense and playoff perception points are not going to allow Alabama coach Nick Saban to play the game conservatively.

Advantage: Auburn.

The CFP committee has placed Alabama into the playoffs every year of its existence, but now it feels like Alabama is fighting for credibility. A strong game by Jones can prove Alabama’s legitimacy as one of the top four teams in college football. That’s a different twist for one of Saban’s team, but it has always been Alabama vs. the world for the Crimson Tide’s famous coach.

Joseph Goodman is a columnist for the Alabama Media Group. He’s on Twitter @JoeGoodmanJr.