Alabama Football: The Question Is, Who Will Be This Week's Hero?

Larry Burton (Syndicated Writer)

Alabama and Nick Saban have been assembling a team so full of talent that it has created a problem of sorts.

On this team, you never know who the star player will be.

Some teams have two or three people who may take turns shining in the glare of team—but at Alabama, they have such a wealth of great athletes, it could be anyone.

Who would have thought before the season that Robert Lester would be a hero with so many picks? Certainly not the mainstream media, who decried this defensive backfield Alabama's biggest liability.

Or could it be Barrett Jones, who has manhandled every opponent and consistently scores so high on the offensive lineman sheets?

At Alabama, it could be defensive lineman who scores three sacks or a backup running back who averages eight yards a carry; what about a freshman field goal kicker or a new tight end with two touchdown catches?

This game against South Carolina will present a different kind of game for Alabama—after facing two good passing teams in a row, Alabama is faced with a good running attack.

This could mean that a defensive lineman or linebacker could be this week's hero, if he can stop Robert Lattimore.

This is a great defense that Alabama will be facing and the running backs could have a hard time exerting their will on them, so maybe this week's hero is a receiver who keeps breaking open and picking up the offensive slack.

With a team like Alabama who has that "Pick your poison" ability, a great running game and a great passing game. But in reality, it also extends now to the defense as well, for they can stop your passing game and kill your running game.

But in a greater sense, "pick your poison" could also mean the players as well and for Nick Saban, that's just the way he likes it.