Alabama Football: Best in the nation against the run

We are 5 days away from college football season, which means it is officially game week. And today we focus on the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Alabama football is built on defense, and last year they were dominant again against the run. For the eighth time in Nick Saban’s 10 years at Alabama, the Crimson Tide were ranked in the top 10 in the nation in rushing defense. It was also the third time in the Saban era that Alabama has had the no. 1 rushing defense in the country.

In 15 games last season, Alabama allowed 100+ rushing yards only twice. Ole Miss ran for 101 yards in their 48-43 loss to the Crimson Tide. And Texas A&M ran for 114 yards in their 33-14 loss to Alabama. And that leads us to no. 5 on the Southbound and Down College Football Countdown.

Alabama allowed 5 rushing touchdowns last season, fewest in nation

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The five rushing touchdowns that Alabama allowed last season were the fewest in the nation. LSU  was second in the SEC, allowing seven rushing touchdowns. In those two games against the Rebels and Aggies, Alabama’s worst performances of the season, they only allowed one rushing touchdown.

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Alabama allowed fewer than 50 yards in five of their 15 games last season, including zero against Florida in last year’s SEC Championship game. Zero. Part of that is because the Crimson Tide sacked Austin Appleby four times, as he managed -32 yards on five carries. But the Gators’ two leading rushers, Jordan Scarlett and Mark Thompson, combined for 33 yards on 16 carries.

The Gators also had the worst rushing offense in the SEC last season, averaging 128.2 yards per game. And their 11 rushing touchdowns were by far the worst in the conference.

Auburn, on the other hand, had the top rushing offense in the SEC last season, averaging 271.3 yards per game. And their 33 rushing touchdowns were tied with Alabama for the most in the SEC.

But when the Tigers’ rushing attack went up against the Crimson Tide, they were shut down. Auburn managed just 66 yards on 26 carries, and their dynamic duo of Kamryn Pettway and Kerryon Johnson combined for 56 yards on 20 carries.

Next: Bulletin board material for the Crimson Tide?

While seven players from Alabama’s 2016 defense were selected in the 2017 NFL Draft, expect the Crimson Tide to reload and have one of the best run defenses in the country again in 2017.