In 2018, Alabama football will have one of the most experienced offensive lines in college football. Playing experience does not always equate with performance, particularly at skill positions like wide receiver and running back. Where it matters considerably is on the offensive line and in the secondary.
College football analyst Phil Steele does an excellent job of tracking experience levels. Steele’s opinion, widely shared by CFB experts, is the team controlling the line of scrimmage wins most games. History shows experienced lines control the line of scrimmage more successfully than inexperienced lines.
Steele’s data makes no effort to adjust for relative levels of talent.