Alabama-Kent State Preview

After 9 months of anticipation, it is finally here. Alabama kicks off it's season on Saturday morning in Bryant Denny Stadium. It's opponent shouldn't put up much of a fight, but it is interesting to note a couple of things about Kent State.

It is Nick Saban's alma mater. And over a month before the season, Kent State players were in Tuscaloosa assisting with cleanup and rebuilding efforts from the April tornado. Nick Saban also has alot of emotion when recalling the shooting in 1971 at Kent St that he was almost in the middle of

The Golden Flashes have a few former players in the NFL: Pittsburgh Steelers LB James Harrison. San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates. Cleveland Browns WR Josh Cribbs
 
Kent St head coach Darrell Hazell was the wide receivers coach at Ohio St when our incoming WR Duron Carter was there and has high praise for Duron

Kent State is 0-21 against top 25 teams, and they will be 0-22 in a few days. Clearly, this is a team that the Tide could score 80 or 90 points against if it chose to do so. But I feel like, being Saban's school, and with the respect they have earned from us with them helping Tuscaloosa, I don't see a 65-0 type of game.

Kent State's QB, Spencer Keith, is a 3rd year starter, who threw 11 interceptions last year to only 8 TDs.

Their starting RB, Jacquise Terry, is from Phenix City, AL. So he should be excited to play in Bryant Denny Stadium.

My prediction is that Bama will come out swinging, showing off the arms of our new quarterbacks, AJ McCarron and Phillip Sims. I think we will build a lead into the 2nd quarter, something like 35-0 or 42-0. I think at that point, just before the half, you will see alot of young guys and new faces. The second and third teamers and walk ons will take it the rest of the way from there, and I think the final result will be about 45-6 or 48-10