Rival Views: Could Alabama slow Lamar Jackson?

Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell and National Recruiting Analyst Adam Gorney don’t always see eye to eye. In this edition of Rival Views, the two debate about whether Lamar Jackson could defeat the Alabama defense.

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With Louisville needing a whole lot of help to make the College Football Playoff, this is an interesting topic to discuss. I had the opportunity to see Jackson in person last weekend as the Cardinals played at Boston College and I couldn’t pass up the chance. Was I impressed? Of course. Jackson is still not filled out as much as you’d like - it looks at times like he could be broken in half - but he’s so slippery, explosive and shifty that getting a clean hit on him is nearly impossible.

His passing skills are there. Jackson can hit receivers in stride downfield, on the sidelines and across the middle. He just needs some more touch on shorter passes and when under duress. Make no mistake about it: Jackson is a dynamic player.

Despite all of that, I have zero doubt Alabama would be able to contain and control Jackson. Why? Because Alabama has the best lane discipline of any defense I have ever seen at the college level. Not only do the team's defenders fly to the football and change the line of scrimmage on each play, but they don’t over pursue and the linebackers read their keys so well that I can’t see Jackson busting off any big runs. And in the passing game? Jackson would be under constant duress which, in my opinion, would lead to some of those errant passes that Alabama likes to turn into scores.

There is a theory, and I do subscribe to it, that it will take a Vince Young-like dual-threat quarterback effort from someone to beat this Alabama team – the defense is just that good. But I don’t think Jackson is that guy this season, even with the Heisman Trophy locked up and Louisville on track to finish with a great season.

It would be difficult, if not near impossible, but if anybody could crack Alabama’s defense this season it would be Jackson and the Louisville offense.

The Crimson Tide do an excellent job of setting the edge, not letting runners outside, having the defensive linemen wreak havoc and then having the linebackers clean up by delivering severe hits. But Jackson has the elusiveness and especially the speed to gain yards and move the ball downfield.

In last year’s national championship game, Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson rushed for 73 yards on 20 carries and he also threw for 405 yards and four touchdowns. This Alabama defense is better, but Jackson is a more dynamic runner and athlete than Watson and could break off some big runs.

Alabama’s offense can be contained. The Crimson Tide did nothing against LSU for three quarters and Louisville’s defense is only allowing about 21 points per game.

Just think about how dominant Jackson has been this season. Unless utter catastrophe strikes in the final weeks, he is well on his way to winning the 2016 Heisman Trophy.

Jackson has rushed for 1,181 yards and 19 touchdowns, averaging 7.3 yards per carry. He’s thrown for 2,753 yards with 26 scores and six picks. Don’t forget, Louisville has weapons all over the field, too, so Alabama’s defense could not just focus on stopping Jackson alone.

It wouldn’t be easy. Far from it. And it might be impossible because I believe many of Alabama’s defenders are basically NFL rookies already in skill and physical ability. But Jackson has the weapons and skill to pull it off.