The Big 3: Alabama A-Day Storylines
"If anything goes bad, I did it. If anything goes semi-good, we did it. If anything goes really good, then you did it. That's all it takes to get people to win football games for you."- Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant.
This Saturday the Alabama Crimson Tide football team will return to Bryan-Denny Stadium for the annual tradition known as A-day. The big 3
1. Will the real Alabama starter, please stand up
Both Alabama quarterback hopefuls are dealing with one big issue and that is starting time.
True sophomore quarterback Bryce Young is the obvious choice here, however, having more playing time for Alabama head coach Nick Saban. In 9 games, Young has thrown for 156 yards and 1 touchdown. The big story of this is the offensive line. Young was sacked 6 times and often was seen running for his life behind an offensive line that protected former quarterback Mac Jones pretty well.
Will junior quarterback Paul Tyson impress and improve enough to be the starter game 1 vs Miami? Saturday should show us just a little glimpse into that answer.
2. Will Chris Owens be the starter this season?
Chris Owens has been here at Alabama since 2016. Owens has seen his fair share of the football field as well in various positions for the Crimson Tide (tackle, guard, center, and do you remember when he played tight-end?) Nick Saban clearly has a lot of faith in Owens, but is he the starter when the Tide line-up this fall? It's clear that Owens is the favorite, but I don't believe you want to just hand him the reigns quite yet. A-Day brings out the competition portion of football for positioning in the depth chart. Is it Owens' time? Or could junior guard Darrian Dalcourt be the surprise starter at center?
3. It's a celebration! Fans in attendance, will create more electricity in players.
Did you say 50 percent capacity? Yes!
Alabama announced that Bryant-Denny Stadium will have 50 percent capacity in attendance for the game on Saturday. This will not only be the first A-Day game since 2019, but it'll mark the first time more than 25 percent will be allowed into the stadium since the end of the 2019 season. I would bet on this, the players will be more excited this Saturday than they have been in a long time. The fans who will be in attendance will appreciate this game more than ever.
In addition, after the conclusion of the game, Alabama will recognize and celebrate the 2020 National Championship winning squad.
Alabama, as well as the whole country, have faced more in the past year than any other time in the program's history. Covid-19 has changed the way we live and the way we have seen football. However, we seem to be gaining momentum towards the finish line and towards a packed house inside Bryant-Denny Stadium next season.
If you're going to the game Saturday, cheer loudly! But more importantly, enjoy and soak it all in.
Roll Tide!
Alabama's A-Day game will be on Saturday beginning at Noon broadcasted on ESPN! You can also listen to the radio broadcast on Tide 100.9 your home for Alabama Crimson Tide Sports!
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