Alabama
QB Jalen Hurts
The narrative surrounding Hurts all offseason was that the game had slowed down for him and he was ready to make more of an impact with his arm, rather than needing his legs to bail him out. Through one game – an admittedly small sample size – Hurts looks like the same player. To be fair, though, the Seminoles provided consistent pressure that made it difficult for him to get into a rhythm. He should have significantly more time in the pocket against Fresno State, so pay attention to whether he takes his time scanning the field or scrambles out of the pocket and continues relying on his mobility.
RB Damien Harris
Many might be surprised to learn that the Alabama running back with the most yards per carry last season was not Bo Scarbrough, but Damien Harris. He continued that torrid pace with nine carries for 73 yards against Florida State, which possesses an excellent defensive front. Against a less formidable opponent, look for the former five-star recruit to again showcase his well-rounded game that includes impressive agility, acceleration and physicality. As evidenced by his pivotal blocked punt against the Seminoles, he also contributes on special teams.
LB Shaun Dion Hamilton
After being left off the preseason All-SEC team, Hamilton set out to prove he belongs in the conversation of best linebackers in the conference and the country. He led the Crimson Tide with eight tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss in the season opener against Florida State en route to being named SEC Defensive Player of the Week. With fellow linebackers Christian Miller and Terrell Lewis suffering season-ending injuries and Rashaan Evans’ status for week two in doubt, the linebacking corps is running a bit thin, and Hamilton may have to shoulder more of the load.
CB Anthony Averett
With starting cornerback Marlon Humphrey leaving early to enter the NFL Draft in April, Averett assumed the starting job role. He played almost exclusively on the right side against Florida State and allowed four catches for 61 yards, 38 of which came on one play in the first quarter. The task of stopping Fresno State’s deep-threat WR KeeSean Johnson, who kicked off 2017 with a big game last week, may fall to the fifth-year senior.
Fresno State
QB Chason Virgil
The Bulldogs’ signal caller threw for 246 yards and a touchdown in a little bit over two quarters of football last week against Incarnate Word. It was a good warm up for the Bulldogs as they won 66-0, but now they face the best team in the country, and Virgil may not see a defense this dangerous during his entire career. But the sophomore quarterback has a good amount of experience and has the arm to throw the ball over the field. Whether or not he has the time in the pocket to do so will be the question.
WR KeeSean Johnson
Johnson is arguably the biggest offensive threat for the Bulldogs. Johnson hauled in 66 passes for 773 yards and six touchdowns last season, and his 2017 campaign is off to a good start as he racked up 120 receiving yards and seven catches last week. The junior receiver is 6-foot-2, 202 lbs and can stretch the field as a big play threat.
RB Ronnie Rivers
The Bulldogs are very young at the running back position, and have to rely on two freshman backs to lead the run game, and Ronnie Rivers is one back to watch out for Saturday. In his first game at the collegiate level last week he ran for 60 yards on nine carries and picked up a touchdown. It wasn’t too long ago that Rivers was facing high school defenses, and now he faces one of the best defenses in college football. He will look to fill the shoes of his father Ron, who is Fresno State’s second all-time leading rusher.
DE Emeka Ndoh
Ndoh transferred from De Anzo College in California to Fresno State in the offseason and didn’t waste any time getting his FBS career off to a bang. Ndoh picked up two sacks and three tackles for loss last week in his Bulldog debut. Even though Ndoh doesn’t have a lot of experience at a high level of college football, he has the athleticism to make up for it. The 252-pound pass rusher will be tasked with getting after Jalen Hurts and bringing down a talented group of Crimson Tide running backs.
