The Alabama Crimson Tide is known for playing every opponent with the same mindset: the goal is to win regardless of the other team’s record. Head coach Nick Saban calls out the media for writing “rat poison,” and gets mad at his players for buying into it.
Well, consider this rat poison.
The 2021 USA TODAY Sports’ AFCA Preseason Coaches Poll was released Tuesday. While Alabama owns the top spot, a handful of Crimson Tide opponents made the top 25.
Erick Smith of USA TODAY named five teams that were featured on the coaches poll, but could be considered overrated. Two of the five teams are on Alabama’s 2021 schedule.
No. 25 Mississippi – Smith argues Ole Miss has a strong offense but is held back by its lackluster defense, which proved an issue last season. He also believes that while the offense outshines the defense, questions surround young receivers and an unproven quarterback, Matt Corral.
No. 16 Miami (FL) – This is the season-opening contest for both teams, and they will face off in Atlanta. The Hurricanes’ defense has been strong in recent seasons, but had plenty of talent leave in the 2021 NFL draft. Plenty of unanswered questions surround the team’s NIL-happy quarterback, D’Eriq King, who suffered a torn ACL in Miami’s final game of the 2020 season.
Now, this isn’t to say these teams aren’t good. They are both storied and respected teams in college football that haven’t had the best luck in recent years, but are now finding success again.
Roll Tide Wire will continue to publish information regarding the Crimson Tide and 2021 opponents.
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