All season, Alabama football defensive coordinator Kane Wommack has been substituting heavily in the defensive backfield, playing backups in meaningful minutes against top opponents much more than what’s typical at most programs.
The time for it to pay off is this week.
The Crimson Tide will be without safety Keon Sabb due to injury, and he’s not the only one on UA’s initial injury report. Defensive back Red Morgan is listed as probable, but in better news for Alabama, two defensive backs limited or injured against Tennessee − Zabien Brown and DeVonta Smith − will be ready to play. UA’s secondary depth was heavily tested against UT last week, and it will be no different against the Tigers for Alabama Homecoming (2:30 p.m. CT Saturday, ABC). Safety Bray Hubbard is expected to get his first career start at free safety in place of Sabb.
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Key to their efforts will be limiting the impact of Missouri star WR Luther Burden. He’s one of the most explosive offensive weapons in the country, even though his production (37 catches, 447 yards, four TDs) is down compared to last season. At 5-foot-11 and 210 pounds, he’s built like a running back and has power as a ball carrier to go with elite vertical speed. He’s played 260 snaps at the slot position this year, per Pro Football Focus, far more than his action as an outside receiver. That means he’ll match up more with UA’s nickelbacks than its cornerbacks, so the primary challenge will fall to Smith.
Familiar Foe
Missouri’s defense should look awfully familiar to Alabama’s offense on Saturday, as Tigers defensive coordinator Corey Batoon held the same role under Crimson Tide DC Kane…
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