AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on ABC
Tide to Watch: Sophomore WR Calvin RidleyWhile many like to criticize Lane Kiffin, his play-calling acumen, especially when it comes to showcasing receivers, is among the nation's best. At USC, Kiffin helped Robert Woods and Marqise Lee rewrite the school's record books, and he has done the same at Alabama with Amari Cooper and now Calvin Ridley. The 6-foot-1 target made 89 catches for 1,045 yards and 7 TDs a year ago. While the Tide are still sorting out the quarterback position, Kiffin will move Ridley around the offense to create favorable match-ups and get the ball in his hands as often as possible.
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3 Keys
What can Browne do for you?
Nothing, unless he is given the time to operate. The onus falls on USC's veteran offensive line to provide a pocket for the redshirt junior to spread the ball around to the many talented Trojans on the perimeter. Alabama can be attacked in the secondary, but Nick Saban's defense features a fierce pass rush led by Jonathan Allen and Tim Williams who combined for 22.5 sacks last season, finishing second and third in the SEC respectively. Sophomore LT Chuma Edoga will be in the hot seat, protecting Browne's blind side since senior LT Chad Wheeler will be limited due to plantar fasciitis. If the Trojans can keep Browne upright, he should have the veteran poise to produce.
Island Life
Alabama is expected to play two quarterbacks, maybe even three, so Kiffin's game plan will likely be centered around the rushing attack behind a powerful offensive line. The Trojans' front-seven has greatly improved since spring, thanks in large part to grad transfer NT Stevie Tu'ikolovatu, but they will still need to sell out on the run to force the Tide into the air. Adoree' Jackson and Iman "Biggie" Marshall will be tested much more in man-to-man coverage under defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast this season. Jackson versus Ridley is the one-on-one match-up that everyone wants to see.
Quarterly Reports
The defending national champions will not be awed by any opponent or any stage. They have been there and done that. While the Trojans also have a great pedigree, the current team will need to prove it belongs on the same field with No. 1 Alabama. The first quarter is about belief. The Trojans must stay confident and composed, so a fast start would be the perfect prescription. Even if USC hits first, the Tide will not go away, so quarters two and three are about staying power. In the final 15 minutes, the pressure of a tight game should shift to the No. 1 team in the country, which has much more to lose.
