Alabama football is back, ladies and gentlemen! Week 0 has concluded and we now move on to week one of the college football season.
Nick Saban and Alabama will not have as easy of a task as most fans would think in their week one matchup against Utah State. Utah State is coming off a special season in 2021 where they won 11 games, including a win over a power five program in their bowl game.
Utah State also returns several key members from their historic 2021 team and will not come into Bryant-Denny Stadium and just hand the Crimson Tide the win.
The Crimson Tide will have their work cut out for them come Saturday night in Tuscaloosa. Let’s take a look at a few of the storylines as we enter Week 1 of Alabama’s 2022 football season
Former Alabama WR Xavier Williams is now with the Aggies
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JANUARY 11: Xavier Williams #3 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts to a first down during the third quarter of the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Hard Rock Stadium on January 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
The Alabama defensive backs will have the chance to match up with a former teammate on Saturday in wide receiver Xavier Williams. Williams was with the Tide from 2018-21.
Williams did not record any stats for the Aggies in their Week 0 win over UCONN.
Utah State HC Blake Anderson is a familiar foe
Alabama head coach Nick Saban and Arkansas State head coach Blake Anderson talk at midfield before the Alabama vs. Arkansas State game at Bryant Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday September 8, 2018.
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Utah State head coach Blake Anderson should look familiar to Tide fans. Anderson was the head coach at Arkansas State when Alabama took on the Red Wolves in 2018.
Utah State is coming off one of the best turnarounds ever
Sep 18, 2021; Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA; Utah State Aggies players celebrate in the fourth quarter against the Air Force Falcons at Falcon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
As I mentioned earlier, the 2021 season was a special one for the Utah State Aggies. Especially when you look back at what happened in 2020. The Aggies went just 1-5 during the COVID season before having the remarkable turnaround in 2021 finishing 11-3.
Alabama’s defense vs. Utah State’s offense
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JANUARY 10: Henry To’oTo’o #10 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts with Will Anderson Jr. #31 in…