How Does Alabama Avoid a Trap Game? The Extra Point

After two games against rivals, could Alabama fall for an early-morning trap game?

After Alabama lost to Texas in Week 2, some people began to write the Crimson Tide off for the year, thinking that Alabama could lose multiple regular season games for the second straight year and would struggle to win the SEC West. The noise got even louder after Alabama struggled on the road against USF the following week. 

Since Alabama lost to Texas, they've beaten three top-20 opponents by 14 points and won multiple SEC road games. The Crimson Tide sits at No. 8 in the College Football Playoff Rankings and could be in position for another run at a national championship. 

Alabama's riding high after beating two rivals in Tennessee and LSU and is a win away from clinching a spot in the SEC Championship Game. Before Alabama would play in Atlanta though, they still have three regular-season games left: at Kentucky, Chattanooga, and at Auburn. Nick Saban doesn't want Crimson Tide fans looking ahead, and he even had to remind Miss. Terry about looking ahead past the current Crimson Tide opponent.

Could Alabama be looking past its matchup with the Wildcats? If the players are, it could cost them. Kentucky running back Ray Davis is second in the SEC in rushing yards (903) and touchdowns (9). Combine Kentucky's run game with the possibility of Alabama missing two defensive starters in linebacker Deontae Lawson and safety Jaylen Key, and Alabama could find itself struggling to contain a good offense. 

Alabama's offense isn't going to be able to come out sluggish like it has at times this season. Kentucky has scored on six of its nine opening drives in games this season, going 5-1 in those six games. If Alabama can't establish Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams early in the game, Jalen Milroe will need to find his top two targets down the field: Jermaine Burton and Isaiah Bond. 

Nick Saban had also mentioned that Alabama started the week of practice a little sluggish but picked it up later in the week. So the question is, could Alabama be looking past its current opponent, leading to a struggle on Saturday? 

Check out the video at the top of the page as BamaCentral's Wyatt Fulton discusses what Alabama needs to do to avoid a trap game against Kentucky on Saturday. 

Sources: Alabama DB DeVonta Smith Making Significant Progress, May Play at Kentucky