Texas A&M Football: 3 keys to beat the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2021

The quarterback needs to be a running threat

Tim Tebow, Cam Newton, Johnny Manziel, Bo Wallace, Cardale Jones, and Chad Kelly. What do they all have in common? For one, they all beat Alabama, and for two, they all could run when they needed to. Historically, Alabama has had fits with quarterbacks that can make plays with their arms as well as with their feet.

Whoever becomes QB1 this year will need to run when the pocket breaks and when the middle of the field is wide open. They won’t need to run 100 yards by any stretch, but drawing attention from their linebackers and making there be one less person in coverage or blitzing could go a long way. It puts a major strain on the defense when you have to run a QB spy for half the game.

The quarterbacks listed above average 15 carries for 47 yards in the games they won against Alabama. To the eye, that may look unimpressive, but many of those yards extended the drive or lead to a touchdown. Jimbo will need to prepare the quarterback to use his legs when the pressure comes.

As we know, every drive counts especially against Alabama.