Alabama Football: What Questions Will The San Jose Game Answer?

Larry Burton (Syndicated Writer)

Unlike most games played in college football, the outcome of this game is never in doubt since first scheduled. That's not to say it's not an important game for both teams.

For San Jose State, it is a measuring stick to gauge their progress in trying to become a competitive team. It will give them a chance to see how they stack up against the best and a chance for them to live through a fight with the nation's best team and learn lessons from a near-certain los.

It will also get them over the shock of ever having to play in another huge stadium with a loud vocal crowd. If they play their cards right, they will come away a better team for having played this game and surviving.

For Alabama, the questions are even more in abundance and the answers won't be as clear.

They won't be as clear because it will be hard to gauge just how well or bad certain aspects truly are given the level of competition.

They can come away with some answers. 

Can the young secondary come away without some serious blown coverages?

Is the pass rush as good as Alabama thinks it is?

Will this Juggernaut offense score on every possession?

How much playing time will players like A.J. McCarron, the backup QB, and Eddie Lacy, the backup running back, get?

How many defensive backs will Saban let play and will one of them break out of the pack with a great game?

How will the new special team specialists do?

How much mercy will Nick Saban show? Will he even worry about covering the spread? (it's about 39 points)

And the list goes on. National writers have all said the first real test will be the first SEC game against Arkansas, but this game will certainly answer a lot of questions and either calm a lot of nerves or make even more that much more nervous.