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THE TUSCALOOSA NEWS
Alabama season preview Capsules by Joshua Gaines
game 1 | West Virginia
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Last meeting: This is the first meeting between the schools. You need to know: West Virginia went 4-8 in 2013, but is returning 13 starters, including quarterback Clint Trickett. Trickett should be more comfortable as he enters his second year in head coach Dana Holgorsen’s up-tempo, spread attack. It is possible that Trickett will match up against fellow former Florida State backup Jake Coker: both transferred from FSU. Keep an eye on: Wide receivers Mario Alford, Daikiel Shorts and Kevin White. Each accounted for 495-plus yards receiving last season in an offense that averaged more than 260 passing yards per game. Outlook: West Virginia looks to rebound from last year’s down season. The Mountaineers will face a difficult matchup against Alabama, but they have won eight of their last 11 games played outside Morgantown, W.Va.
Date: Aug. 30 Location: Georgia Dome in Atlanta Kickoff: 2:30 p.m. TV: ABC/ESPN2
u photo | Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY
game 3 | southern miss game 2 | florida atlantic
photo | southern miss
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photo | JC Ridley, Florida Atlantic
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Date: Sept. 6 Location: BryantDenny Stadium Kickoff: 11 a.m. TV: SEC Network
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Last meeting: Alabama defeated Florida international 40-7 in 2012. You need to know: First-year coach Charlie Partridge looks to improve on last year’s 6-6 record. After former head coach Carl Pelini’s resignation last October, the Owls finished the season with an undefeated November to secure a finish with six or more wins for the first time since 2008. Keep an eye on: Senior Andrae Kirk is the lone returning starter at the linebacker position. Kirk helped anchor a defense that held three of its final four opponents to less than 200 yards of total offense. Kirk finished with 84 tackles as the Owls finished inside the top 30 nationally in yards and points allowed per game. Outlook: The Owls will open their season on the road at Nebraska and then travel to Bryant-Denny Stadium, giving FAU a very tough two-game road trip to start the 2014 season. Look for Alabama to capitalize on FAU’s youth on defense by attacking with a variety of weapons.
Last meeting: Alabama defeated Southern Miss 30-21 in 2005. Date: Sept. 13 You need to know: Last year, Location: BryantSouthern Miss went 1-11, with the lone win Denny Stadium coming against UAB in the season finale. Kickoff: 5 p.m. Second-year coach Todd Monken looks to TV: ESPN2 improve on both defense and offense. The Golden Eagles gave up 42 points and 436 yards per game while the offense averaged only 17 points and 316 yards in 2013. Keep an eye on: Quarterback Nick Mullens. He started the final six games of 2013 and ended the year with 1,776 yards passing and 13 touchdowns. Mullens will look to cut down on turnovers, as he accounted for 14 interceptions. Outlook: Alabama’s young secondary will surely be tested through the air, as the Golden Eagles’ rushing attack averaged a mere 2.6 yards per carry in 2013. The game will be Southern Miss’ second against an SEC foe in three weeks as USM opens the season against Mississippi State.