Alabama Crimson Tide: Predicting each game in 2021

Alabama football has enjoyed an unprecedented level of dominance under Nick Saban in Tuscaloosa. Since 2007, the Tide have brought home six national championships, including one in 2020. They’ve been so incredibly dominant, you could argue the success they’ve achieved under Nick Saban is the most impressive run in the history of football.

2021 figures to be no different for Alabama football, as ESPN’s FPI projects them to go undefeated and steamroll the competition. Let’s take a look at Alabama’s regular season schedule and their FPI per ESPN.

Here are predictions for every Alabama football game via ESPN’s FPI.

Sept. 4th vs. Miami Hurricanes

The Hurricanes return D’Eriq King who is one of the most dynamic dual threat quarterbacks in the country. The FPI gives Alabama an 81.5 percent chance to win this game. While it’s giving Miami a slight chance in this game; an upset is unlikely. Miami would need to play flawless football and eliminate the bonehead defensive penalties.

Sept. 11th vs. Mercer Bears

No disrespect to the Mercer Bears but back in 2017, Alabama faced off with Mercer and beat them 56-0. We wouldn’t expect anything different this time. FPI gives Alabama a 99.9 percent chance of winning this football game. My question is, where did the .1 percent go?

Sept. 18th @ Florida Gators

Quarterback Emory Jones was a big-time recruit for the Gators when they signed him. He’s a dynamic dual-threat talent but it won’t be enough to beat Alabama. FPI gives the Tide a 75.2 percent chance to win this game. To be fair, that’s the second-lowest percentage chance of any team on Alabama’s slate. That’s respect.

Sept. 25th vs. Southern Miss Golden Eagles

The Golden Eagles have a familiar name on their roster, Frank Gore, Jr. He ran for over 700 yards and two touchdowns last year as a freshman. FPI gives Alabama a 99.1 percent chance to win this game.

Oct. 2nd vs. Ole Miss Rebels

Junior quarterback Matt Corral is one of the most surgical quarterbacks in college football; so don’t sleep on the Rebels. FPI gives Alabama a 90.4 percent chance to win this game. Don’t forget Ole Miss pushed Alabama to the wire in 2020 (Alabama won 63-48) in a classic game. Ole Miss could surprise the FPI and college football fans yet again.

Oct. 9th @ Texas A&M Aggies

Jalen Wydermyer could be the best tight end in college football. The Aggies return him and a number of other weapons at the skill positions. Will it be enough to upset the Tide?

FPI gives Alabama a 65.6 percent chance of winning this game, which is the lowest of any team on their schedule. That’s serious respect for the Aggies’ roster.

Oct. 16th @ Mississipi State Bulldogs

Linebacker Aaron Brule returns for the Bulldogs and spearheads their defense. He notched 77 tackles with four sacks in 2020. FPI gives Alabama an 85.5 percent chance to win this game. An upset is not happening.

Oct. 23rd vs. Tennessee Volunteers

The Volunteers brought in former UCF head coach Josh Heupel to fix a program that’s been among the SEC’s worst for several years. FPI lists Alabama’s chances of winning this game at 95.6 percent. The Vols would need a miracle to win this game and even then it wouldn’t be enough.

Nov. 6th vs. LSU Tigers

LSU’s defense is supposed to take a massive leap in 2021, as their secondary was torched time and time again in 2020. They’ve got some talented pieces here that will give teams problems, but Alabama is on another level, at least for now. FPI gives Alabama a 90.6 percent chance of winning this game.

Nov. 13th vs. New Mexico State Aggies

New Mexico State has center Eli Johnson, who started in the SEC for Ole Miss. The Aggies lost to Tarleton State in the spring. This one could be the biggest blowout of the season, right up there with Mercer. FPI gives Alabama a 99.9 percent chance to win this game. Once again, where did the .1 percent go?

Nov. 20th vs. Arkansas Razorbacks

Wide receiver Treylon Burks could be the best player on the Razorbacks roster. He’s a 6’3, 225-pound matchup nightmare. He caught 51 passes for 820 yards and seven touchdowns last season.

There are too many problems on the defensive side of the ball for Arkansas to have any shot here. FPI gives Alabama a 94.5 percent chance of winning this game.

Nov. 27th @ Auburn Tigers

Rivalry games in college sports are wildly unpredictable and the Iron Bowl one is no different. Auburn had Nick Saban’s number under Gus Malzahn. Gus had a better record than any other coach in the SEC against Nick Saban. Malzahn was fired in 2020 and Bryan Harsin is the new headman at Auburn.

Auburn quarterback Bo Nix has been a massive bust to this point. FPI gives Alabama an 81.3 percent chance of winning this game, which is being generous because Nix has been really bad at times.