When Nick Saban says a lot of freshmen will play this season, it doesn’t exactly signal a cause for panic. It’s more like a flashing caution sign.
Face it, Alabama’s freshmen are different from most other teams', but, when is all accounted for, they’re still freshmen. And with freshmen comes mistakes and inexperience.
How well the UA coaching staff mitigates the risk of playing those freshmen and how quickly they get them ready, whether that be at running back, right tackle, quarterback or all over the field, will determine the kind of depth the Crimson Tide will field in 2016.