I expect us to try and rattle Young early. All 5-star QB's are glorified superheroes until the lights come on, and although our defense does have plenty of holes, you know very well Manny will have the pressure dialed up to force Young to go through his progressions quickly. Whether he can remains to be seen, but I expect him to make a few mistakes as we load up the box and force him to throw.
Offensively, we have to start fast. Going down 14-0 will give Young confidence to settle into the game, whereas if we can strike quickly and put a little pressure on the bag throwing rednecks, he'll tighten up. All I can ask for as someone who considers themselves a realist is to be within 10 points heading into the 4Q. Make no mistake - Alabama is still good, but this isn't nearly the same team as last season. There's holes on the o-line and at WR (QB as well), and yes they can just plug in uber talented dudes, but it's all for show until the lights really come on and bodies are flying. Defensively they'll be better than last year but they can be torched. That's where our offense (and Lashlee) needs to prove they can score routinely on the big boys. Lashlee **** himself against Clemson and couldn't scheme around our horrid o-line being ravaged by Clemson's front 7, can't have that happen again. I don't expect it to be a reoccurring issue given we have the most experienced o-line in college football, but I have to see it to believe it.
I'm thinking we lose something like 34-27, but would not be shocked if we pulled out the upset. Anything within a 10 point loss is a sign this program is moving in the right direction. A 21+ point blowout would, as other have already alluded to, be an indicator that we have the same Miami team on our hands that can't compete with the upper echelon of college football.
My body is ready for 9/4, I hope those sellouts in KKK land are too because I think the boys in Orange and Green are arriving in the ATL seeking blood.