The Alabama Crimson Tide begin a new era of offense in 2021 as they defend their national championship. With Bryce Young at quarterback, the top-ranked Tide take on the No. 14 Miami Hurricanes Saturday afternoon in the season opener. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, and the contest will be televised on ABC.
These legendary programs have not met since New Year’s Day 1993, when Alabama stunned Miami 34-13 in the Sugar Bowl to win the national title. The Tide lead the series 14-3, with Miami’s last win coming on New Year’s Day 1990 in the Sugar Bowl. Alabama won 10 straight from 1962-1979, and this is the third neutral site meeting.
Bryce Young’s turn for Alabama
The Tide have to replace six first-round draft picks, including quarterback Mac Jones. Heisman winner Devonta Smith is also in the NFL now, along with wideout Jaylen Waddle and running back Najee Harris. They also lost offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian to the University of Texas.
Enter quarterback Bryce Young, a sophomore from Pasadena, California, who was a top-ranked quarterback coming out of high school. He does have some experience backing up Jones last season and also has veteran targets, including wide receiver John Metchie III. Young played in seven games last year going 13-for-22, passing for 156 yards and a touchdown.
Running back Brian Robinson will be the main ball carrier replacing Harris. He ran for 483 yards in 2020 and scored six times. Metchie moved into the second wide receiver role last season when Waddle was injured. On the season, he caught 55 passes for 917 yards and scored six times.
Former Houston Texans head coach Bill O’Brien is now running the offense for the Tide. The defense hasn’t changed much as Nick Saban reloads on that side of the ball with numerous five-star recruits plus transfer linebacker Henry To’o To’o from rival Tennessee.
King Back for Miami
Miami went 8-3 last season, falling in the Cheez-It Bowl against Oklahoma State. Quarterback D’Eriq King tore his ACL in that final game but is back and ready to go for the 2021 season. Miami’s resurgence hangs on King’s continued development.
Last season King completed 64% of his passes for 2,686 yards in 11 games. He had just five interceptions with 23 touchdowns while also running for 538 yards, second-most on the team.
Running back Cam’Ron Harris is also back after leading the Canes ground game last season. He ran for 643 yards and 10 touchdowns, while Donald Chaney Jr. ran for 322 yards and three scores.
The wide receiver position is relatively new and young for the Canes. Starter Key’Shawn Smith is atop the depth chart and had just two catches for 58 yards last season. Senior Mike Harley led the way in 2020 with 57 catches for 799 yards and seven touchdowns.
Betting Analysis
- Alabama -19.5 -1050
- Miami +19.5 +690
- Total 61. Over -110. Under -110
This could be a much more competitive opener than Alabama is used to, and it will be a great challenge for a young offense. Miami’s offense has veterans at key positions, but their defense is going to be tested early and often. They need to force Young into mistakes and turnovers to keep this one close and give King a chance to pull off an upset late.
FREE PICK: Miami +19.5
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