Washington to test Alabama defense with offensive balance

Nevertheless, Coach Nick Saban’s Alabama team remains the playoff team with the highest expectations.

Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts seems to be enjoying his time in Atlanta for the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, but his message regarding the trip was definitely not approved by the bowl game sponsor.

While it’s all fun and games now, it won’t be amusing if the Huskies are a little sleepy at 3 p.m. on Saturday while going up against arguably the best defense in college football.

“What I’ve learned about this game is your mindset of: Is this a bowl game or is this a playoff game?” They were getting mad at me because some of them can’t even run a 4.35.

And of course, they threw in some trash-talking ahead of the college football playoff semifinal game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Washington Huskies.

It’s not the only attention-getting statistic for a defense that is making a case as the best of coach Nick Saban’s decade in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

But the bigger picture wins out and the all-business approach prevails. “Obviously, I call the plays, I call the defenses, (but) if he has something that he likes or wants to interject, obviously he does”.

“If you want to be great and have a legendary legacy, you have to have that relentlessness to your work ethic and your grind”. Undefeated in 2016, Alabama’s unbeaten streak actually dates back to Week 3 of the 2015 season, and it still won the national title that year – its fourth since 2009, the program’s third season under Saban.

“There’d be a certain game that we played that, ‘This is going to be a big game, the biggest one of the season, ‘ ” Petersen said.

“Best movie Coach Saban has ever taken us to go see, ever since I’ve been here, 100 percent”, said senior defensive end Jonathan Allen. But as a defensive lineman, I’m excited about it. His touchdown to interception ratio? 6:1. Gaskin and, to a lesser extent, Lavon Coleman will have to use their speed to get around the edge and headed upfield before Foster is able to lower the boom.

Alabama’s Jonah Williams probably best understands what makes Washington quarterback Jake Browning tick. “It was kind of hard knowing where I fit in and what would be best for me for my future and for our team”. He’s thrown nine interceptions and has fumbled 10 times, losing five of those.

The Alabama Crimson Tide have continued to dominate college football despite having a revolving door of game-manager types at quarterback. “He’s got good size at 6’2” and 209 pounds, so he can both run through and around defenders.

But, as Baker hinted, Hurts has been everything and more that Alabama could have asked for as a true freshman.

Saturday’s total is set at 54 points.

“They’re ballhawks”, Hurts said. That’s to be expected when leading tackler Azeem Victor played just 10 games after a fractured leg ended his season.

With all of this in mind, Alabama is still by far the better team, but UW is being overlooked mightily. Baker and Kevin King each have two.

But where Hurts really kills opposing defenses is with his legs, rushing for 841 yards and 12 touchdowns this season, with four 100-yard performances on the ground. But Browning only roams when absolutely necessary, so he’ll need to stare down the inevitable pressure and connect with the dynamic duo of John Ross and Dante Pettis, who’ve combined for 31 touchdown receptions this season. Surprisingly, these are the only 2 Crimson Tide OL on All Conference teams.

Later Saturday, the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes will be looking to advance to the national championship game for the second time in three years when they clash with the No. 2 Clemson Tigers in the Fiesta Bowl as 3-point betting favorites.