Miami football Alabama Pro Football Focus pick and analysis
The Miami football game against Alabama is regarded as the second biggest of the opening weekend of the 2021 season. Number 14 Miami travels to Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta to play number one and defending national champion Alabama. Alabama has to replace most of their offensive skill positions players from 2020.
The Crimson Tide will be led by quarterback Bryce Young a 2020 five-star signee. Young backed up Heisman Trophy Finalist and 2021 NFL first-round Draft Pick Mac Jones in 2020. Miami could be fortunate to face Alabama early in the season with new players at key positions on offense. Alabama’s offense was dominant in 2020.
Young playing in mop-up time behind Jones in 2020 is different than becoming the starter in 2021. Being under the microscope as the Alabama QB is far more pressure. Everything Young does on Saturday will be analyzed. Compare that to D’Eriq King who will be making the fourth season-opening start of his college career.
Pro Football Focus as part of their previews of week one examines the Alabama Miami football game. The Alabama offense had a historic season in 2020. In their first game with new players being elevated to starting positions in 2021, PFF doesn’t expect the same numbers from the Crimson Tide.
"“Alabama’s offense produced like no other over the past few seasons. The Crimson Tide generated a colossal 0.31 expected points added (EPA) per play since 2019, the highest in the Power Five by a substantial margin. Alabama hasn’t generated negative EPA per play in a single game since its 2018-19 title loss to Clemson…(Quarterback Bryce) Young made a few too many mistakes while playing mop-up duty as a true freshman, but the 2020 No. 2-ranked overall recruit got through his progressions, flashed a good arm and displayed an impressive ability to extend plays and make throws when knocked off rhythm.Young is a promising talent, and wide receiver John Metchie III and running back Brian Robinson Jr. are top-10 players at their respective positions. Still, offensive regression should be expected from the Crimson Tide.The biggest question is how quickly their young players in prominent roles can get up to speed, which only makes their season-opener against D’Eriq King and the Miami Hurricanes more interesting.”"
The key for the Miami football team is making Young beat them. If the Crimson Tide gets rolling with the run, Young will have less pressure. Metchie is ready to become the next great Alabama wide receiver. Robinson was productive in 2020 backing up Najee Harris. The Miami offense has to play clean and not turn the ball over.
Next. Miami should be concerned with this stat against Alabama. dark
Miami needs to force Alabama into mistakes offensively. A few turnovers can turn field position in favor of Miami. How much Alabama regresses offensively in its first game of 2021 as PFF expects is the question. If the Crimson Tide regresses enough and the Miami offense improves as expected, the Hurricanes can be competitive.