SEC’s two best O-lines may reside in Alabama

By Robert Rousseau  |   Monday, August 04, 2008  |  Comments( 1 )

Alabama Crimson Tide
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Many questions, such as ones centering on the quarterback and the linebackers, among others, currently surround the Alabama Crimson Tide as football season nears.

However, there is one Tide unit -- the offensive line -- that hasn't been subject to much questioning at all. After all, four of Alabama's five projected starters are returning from last season. Guards Marlon Davis and Mike Johnson are solid, while tackle Drew Davis -- despite never having started -- possesses the coaches' confidence.

And then there are the other two linemen -- guys who really give this group the potential to be special.

First there’s an All-America candidate at left tackle in Andre Smith, a reigning All-SEC selection who was last year’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy Award winner as the top O-lineman in the SEC. Then there's senior center Antoine Caldwell, who has started every season for the Tide and has been named to All-SEC teams in each of those campaigns.

Perhaps just as interesting as the notion that the Tide may have the best O-line in the SEC, however, is the fact that some are thinking that its rival, the Auburn Tigers, might just outdo Bama.

Though the past two seasons have been difficult on the line for the Tigers, 2008 promises to be better because four of the their five projected No. 1s have experience starting. In fact, if it weren’t for a Chaz Ramsey back injury that may allow inexperienced Byron Isom to take over, then all five returners would have starting experience (it’s possible that Ramsey will miss significant time).

Projected right tackle Ryan Pugh played well and impressed over the course of last season. Center Jason Bosley possesses the kind of experience and skills that could net him All-SEC honors. Left tackle Lee Ziemba, a Freshman All-American last season, has oodles of talent and seems ready to prove it as a sophomore. Guard Tyronne Green has significant starting experience and was thought well enough of to be considered a Preseason All-SEC selection along with Ziemba.

Right now, thanks to Smith's prodigiousness, one might give the Tide the nod on the offensive line. That said, the Tigers have a ton of young potential.

It's anyone’s guess at this point which team will have the better line in 2008. But there is no guesswork involved when it comes to the fact that right now these two O-lines project as well as any in the SEC.
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About Robert Rousseau

Robert Rousseau is a sports writer that has been published in a variety of print and online venues. He’s been writing for RealFootball365.com for almost three years now. When Rousseau isn’t writing about college football he tends to be penning mixed martial arts pieces for MMAFighting.com or ...
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