Defending champ Alabama faces No. 14 Miami in Atlanta

Posted September 02, 2021 7:00 am

By The Associated Press

Miami starting quarterback D'Eriq King speaks with the news media after a NCAA college football practice, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021, in Coral Gables, Fla.(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) The Associated Press

No. 14 Miami (0-0) vs. No. 1 Alabama (0-0), Saturday at 3:30 p.m. EDT (ABC).

Line: Alabama by 19 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

Series record: Alabama leads 14-3.

WHAT'S AT STAKE?

Alabama is seeking a 20th consecutive season-opening win. It has not been even a game under .500 since the end of the 2006 season, when the Tide finished 6-7. Nick Saban took over as coach the following season. For Miami, the game represents a chance for arguably the program's biggest win in 20 years.

KEY MATCHUP

Alabama's defense against a Miami offense led by QB D'Eriq King and a veteran offensive line with a collective 159 career starts. The Hurricanes returned 10 offensive starters. The Crimson Tide is led defensively by preseason All-American Will Anderson Jr. and fellow linebackers Christian Harris and Henry To'oTo'o, a Tennessee transfer. Alabama had 21 sacks in the final five games last season.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Miami: King enters the season with 9,570 career combined passing and rushing yards. Among active FBS quarterbacks with at least 1,000 rushing yards, only Utah transfer Charlie Brewer - who had 10,739 over the past four seasons at Baylor - has piled up more than King.

Alabama: QB Bryce Young, the top-rated dual threat quarterback out of high school, makes his much-anticipated starting debut. If the offense skips a beat, it won't necessarily be because of his inexperience. Young is surrounded by new starters on an offense, though tailback Brian Robinson Jr. and receiver John Metchie III are established threats.

FACTS & FIGURES

Alabama is seeking a 99th win as the No. 1-ranked team in the AP poll. ... Miami is 5-11 all-time when facing the AP national champion from the previous season, 0-2 when that opponent is Alabama (losing those games by a combined score of 66-3). ... Saban is 79-8 in games where the Crimson Tide enter ranked No. 1 in the AP poll. ... The Hurricanes are 9-9 all-time when facing the AP's No. 1-ranked team. ... Miami will play nine of its 12 regular-season games in NFL stadiums, including seven home contests. ... Alabama has 15 first- or second-year players on its offensive two-deep, including three offensive linemen and all four freshman wide receivers.

___

More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) rolls out on a passing drill during the NCAA college football team's practice Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) The Associated Press

FILE - Alabama defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe (92) and linebacker Will Anderson Jr. (31) celebrate after a missed Notre Dame field goal attempt in the first half of the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, in this Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, file photo. Anderson was selected to The Associated Press Preseason All-America first team defense, Monday Aug. 23, 2021.(AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth, File) The Associated Press

Article Comments

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.