The keys to victory for Alabama

The SEC Championship kicks today at 3:00pm on CBS and the Tide is favored to win, but the Bulldogs enter the game playing their best football of the season. Alabama also has to be worried because of their last two games versus top ranked teams the Tide has struggled especially on 3rd down. Here are three keys to the game for an Alabama victory.   

Key 1: Win on 3rd down
In Alabama’s last two games versus top 10 teams the Tide has struggled to get off the field on 3rd down. LSU exposed a weakness in Alabama’s secondary and Texas A&M was able to further exploit it. The last two weeks versus WCU and Auburn it has been a different story on 3rd down, but has the Tide really fixed their 3rd down issues? If Aaron Murray starts to pick apart Alabama’s secondary especially hitting plays on 3rd and 5 or 3rd and 8 much like LSU and A&M then it will be a long hard day for Alabama. 

Key 2: Pressure Murray
Like most quarterbacks when Aaron Murray is giving time he can become very dangerous. Alabama hasn’t been a dominate pass rushing team this season, but will have find away to apply pressure and collapse the pocket on Murray. South Carolina was extremely effective at this and shut down the Bulldog offense.

Key 3: Win the turnover battle
In Alabama’s two closest games the Tide lost the turnover battle and that stat speaks for its self. To be successful the Tide doesn’t have to force a lot of turnovers, but can’t afford the costly red zone fumbles or interceptions that plagued them in the LSU and A&M games.

Alabama Tonight Sports Blogger - Patrick Pierce @Patrickp13