Despite only having three offensive starters return from last season, Nick Saban’s team was able to score at will against Miami, beating the Hurricanes 44-13. The game was never close as Alabama put up the game’s first 27 points before Miami managed a field goal to end the first half. And things didn’t get any better in the second half.
Getting Started Early
Bryce Young made his debut as the Alabama starter and he definitely did not disappoint. He was able step right in and get things going early as he threw his first touchdown pass less than three minutes into the game.
Bryce Young to John Metchie III
Get used to hearing that 💰
— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 4, 2021
Big Plays
Big plays were a theme for the Alabama offense, as they were able to capitalize on multiple big scoring plays via the passing game. Only one of Bryce Young’s four touchdown passes was for single digit yards. The others were 25 yards, 37 yards, and the big 94 yarder below.
BRYCE YOUNG 94-YARD TD TO JAMESON WILLIAMS 🤯
(via @SECNetwork)pic.twitter.com/AiRPKjISWh
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 4, 2021
Turnover Chain
Had to give back the turnover chain. pic.twitter.com/CjFFB4wQvJ
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) September 4, 2021
The turnover chain is a fun way of emphasizing big plays, but when you’re losing by a lot it seems like a huge waste of time. Miami got to experience this with an added level of suck when they busted out the turnover chain while losing 27-0 to Alabama.
As if that’s not a bad enough look as it is, then the play gets overturned, forcing the Hurricanes to put it the chain away. I think Big Cat put it best:
Turnover chain down 27-0 hits different
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) September 4, 2021
Turnover Chain vs Belt: Which Was First
The Miami Hurricanes popularized their turnover chain a few seasons ago during a decent run of wins for the program, as many were speculating that “Miami football was BACK” but reality quickly set in and the Hurricanes faded back to irrelevancy rather quickly. But they put the turnover chain on the map, though it seems they were not the first to begin handing out turnover hardware. Former Alabama running back Mark Ingram II took to Twitter to let the world know that the Crimson Tide are the true originators of this tradition:
During the broadcast of the Alabama and Miami game, the announcer commented on Alabama’s “version” of the turnover belt. Like many of us, myself included, this person seems totally uninformed in the world of turnover hardware. Further clarity was provided when someone replied to Mark Ingram’s tweet with evidence of the origination of the turnover belt.
Conclusion
Alabama is still Alabama. New roster, same results. No real surprise there, not much else needs to be said. On the other side, Miami still seems to have a lot of work to do. They didn’t appear to belong on the same field as Alabama, and that’s a problem.
Not many teams in the country can compete with the Crimson Tide when it comes to talent level, so beating Alabama isn’t necessarily expected. However it is incredibly embarrassing to get blown out in the way the Hurricanes did. Not a great way to get the season started for Miami.