Atlanta Showdown Part 4: FSU passing game vs. Alabama secondary

The Florida State passing attack

It might sound naive to suggest that a college football team’s passing attack might improve after losing its three most productive wide receivers from the year before, but that’s a realistic possibility for the Seminoles this season. While Travis Rudolph, Jesus Wilson and Kermit Whitfield had tons of experience, none of the three proved to be consistent downfield weapons during their Florida State careers.

Rising junior Nyqwan “Noonie” Murray showed in the second half of the 2016 season that he definitely has that potential, and FSU coach Jimbo Fisher publicly challenged Murray this spring to step up into that consistent No. 1 receiver role. Murray will be joined by a slew of other dangerous weapons at receiver and tight end -- it’s a group that should be the most dynamic since Jameis Winston was throwing to Rashad Greene, Kelvin Benjamin, Kenny Shaw and Nick O’Leary in 2013. And now that sophomore Deondre Francois is entering his second full year as the starting quarterback, he should be fully equipped to take advantage of that wealth of talent.

The Alabama pass defense

Alabama is looking to rebound from a dismal performance in the national championship game, when it allowed Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson to complete 36 of 56 passes (64 percent) for 420 yards and three touchdowns. Concerns over the secondary only amplified after the Crimson Tide gave up a combined 661 yards and five touchdowns through the air during their A-Day scrimmage.

Alabama loses first-round pick Marlon Humphrey but returns the rest of its starting defensive backs from late in the season. The real question is whether or not the Tide will be able to generate the same pass rush that saw it lead the nation with 54 sacks last year. The Tide will be without their top four sacks leaders in Jonathan Allen, Tim Williams, Ryan Anderson and Reuben Foster, a quartet that combined for 33.5 sacks in 2016.