This is the First of a Three-Part Series Looking into the out-of-conference opener against the defending National Champions.
The Alabama Crimson Tide do not enter rebuilding phases. Rather, they reload year-after-year. Thus, while 2021 seems like a transition year after wining the 2020 National Championship and losing its nucleus of talent, Bama remains one of the biggest opening game tests possible.
In each of the last two drafts, Alabama has had two wide receivers and one quarterback drafted in the first round (Tua Tagovailoa-Jerry Jeudy-Henry Ruggs in 2020 and Mac Jones-Jaylen Waddle-DeVonta Smith in 2021).