Is Crimson Tide SEC contenders?

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Alabama football is in the middle of its first break of the 2024 season.

After starting the campaign with wins against Western Kentucky, South Florida and Wisconsin, the No. 4 Crimson Tide has an off week ahead of its off week ahead of starting SEC play against Georgia Sept. 28 at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Through three games, where does Alabama stand? Our Alabama football writers Colin Gay and Chase Goodbread discuss the Crimson Tide's production and if the team is destined for a trip to the SEC championship and the College Football Playoff.

What are your impressions of Alabama football through the first three games? Chase: Offensively, the offensive line carries the key. The Wisconsin performance made it clear that Kadyn Proctor’s presence at left tackle is a difference maker; as such, UA needs him healthy for the balance of the season. The right tackle spot remains a question mark that can only get a definitive answer from top SEC defensive fronts, beginning with Georgia’s. Defensively, the UA pass defense has looked good but also gone largely untested, particularly with Wisconsin having to turn to a backup quarterback in the first quarter. Special teams are looking like a major plus.

Colin: Iit seems like Kane Wommack’s “swarm” defense is working with players such as Jihaad Campbell, Deontae Lawson, Malachi Moore and Keon Sabb consistently finding ways to be disruptive and create turnover chances. And Wommack’s unit is only getting started heading into SEC play. On offense, success has been centered around the offensive line. With Proctor and Elijah Pritchett shining at tackle against Wisconsin, Alabama seemingly has its foundation for its offense. SEC games will show how strong that foundation truly is.

Who is your Alabama team MVP through those three games? Colin: It’s Jalen Milroe, plain and simple. Milroe has taken advantage of every opportunity he’s had, however short it may be through the early-season offensive line woes that plagued the Crimson Tide. He’s helped Ryan Williams become a superstar wide receiver as a 17-year-old, while keeping defenses guessing with his athleticism as a runner. SEC play will show who Milroe is. But heading into the Georgia game, and especially after his Wisconsin performance, Milroe is firmly in the conversation as one of the best players in the SEC.

Chase: It’s got to be Jalen Milroe. He hasn’t been perfect, but he’s been the catalyst for explosive plays both run and pass. In a very different offensive system, he’s still connecting on the deep ball, and Nick Sheridan has been wise to call designed runs for him. Milroe remains a major headache for opposing defensive coordinators because of the athleticism he brings to both the run game, and scrambles out of the pocket.

Who is Alabama’s unsung hero through non-conference play? Chase: James Burnip. Punters get forgotten sometimes, but the Crimson Tide’s fifth-year senior has been routinely launching bombs of 50-plus yards with both hangtime and placement. At some point, and perhaps more than once, he’ll be a major factor in a closely-contested Alabama win.

Colin: James Burnip is a stellar selection. But to me, it’s Jam Miller. With all the attention on Williams, Milroe and the offensive line, Miller headlines a two-man running back room with Justice Haynes that has been sneakily, but incredibly impactful through the first three games. Miller’s explosiveness through the line of scrimmage has been a weapon the Crimson Tide will have to utilize in conference play to have success.

CHASE GOODBREAD: How Alabama football coach Kalen DeBoer differs from Nick Saban on game day | Goodbread

Which SEC game will define Alabama’s 2024 season? Colin: Georgia will be the game Alabama finds out where it stands. Tennessee will be the game Alabama finds out how it responds to either the weight of contention or adversity depending on the outcome of the Bulldogs game. But don’t look past road games at LSU and Oklahoma. Both could be fighting for one of those final CFP slots or could be looking to play spoiler. Both of the Crimson Tide’s road games in November could really determine where Alabama ends up come December.

Chase: Georgia is an obvious answer, but it’s really a road trip to Tennessee. The Vols might be every bit as good as the Bulldogs, and for Alabama, beating them in Neyland Stadium could well be a taller task than beating Georgia at home. If Alabama happens to lose to Georgia, avoiding a second loss in Knoxville would go a long way in the race for both a berth in the SEC title game, and favorable playoff seeding as well.

Meet Colin Gay Introducing Colin Gay, The Tuscaloosa News' new Alabama football beat reporter

Is Alabama football an SEC championship contender? Chase: No doubt. There isn’t a team on the schedule it can’t beat. The problem for Alabama is, there’s a lot of company in the contender boat. We’ve seen years in the SEC in which two dominant teams play a cut above everyone else, and their December date in Atlanta looks like a foregone conclusion. This is not one of those years. Alabama, Texas, Georgia, Tennessee and Ole Miss could all find a way to the SECCG, and they might not be the only ones.

Colin: Alabama has shown growing pains. But the Crimson Tide has not shown anything to prove it is anything but an SEC championship contender. The list of contenders for the SEC championship is extensive. Over the next few weeks, that list will be cut down with head-to-head meetings against teams such as Georgia and Tennessee. But the talent is there for a Crimson Tide fan to at least start looking at plans for a December trip to Atlanta.

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Is Crimson Tide SEC contenders?

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