Atlanta Showdown Part 2: FSU pass defense vs. Alabama air attack

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In the second installment of our seven-part summer breakdown of the 2017 Florida State-Alabama game, we take a closer look at the matchup of the Seminoles' pass defense against the Crimson Tide air attack.

This video and accompanying article features Ira Schoffel of Warchant.com and Kyle Henderson of BamaInsider.com; the video is moderated by ESPN-Tallahassee's Jeff Cameron.

(Note: Be sure to watch the video below, and also the accompanying text below that.)

Part 1: Early overview

Part 2: FSU pass defense vs. Alabama air attack

Coming tomorrow: FSU defensive line vs. Alabama offensive line

The Alabama passing game

For Alabama, it all starts with the return of SEC Offensive Player of the Year Jalen Hurts at quarterback. The dual-threat signal caller, who will be a sophomore this season, passed for 2,780 yards and 23 touchdowns with a completion percentage of 62.8 as a freshman. Hurts is 13-1 as a starter, is very confident in the pocket, and showed signs of improvement during the spring game, throwing for 301 yards and two touchdowns. While Alabama does lose receiver ArDarius Stewart and O.J. Howard at tight end, both of whom were selected in the NFL Draft, the Crimson Tide return plenty of talent that can stretch the field. The leader of that group should be Calvin Ridley, who had 769 receiving yards on 72 receptions as a sophomore in 2016.

The Florida State defensive secondary

With the return of All-America candidates Derwin James and Tarvarus McFadden and a wealth of experienced talent around them, Florida State will be in the discussion for having the nation’s best defensive backfield this season. The Seminoles are absolutely loaded at safety, with James, Trey Marshall and Nate Andrews all back as longtime starters -- they have 45 career starts between them. Marshall will miss the first half against Alabama as a result of his targeting penalty in the Orange Bowl, but the Seminoles have plenty of other experienced options, including senior Ermon Lane and juniors A.J. Westbrook, Marcus Lewis and Calvin Brewton.

FSU also brings back McFadden, who was tied for No. 1 in the nation with eight interceptions last season, at one of the two cornerback positions. The other starter will be determined through a competitive battle headlined by sophomores Kyle Meyers, Carlos Becker and Levonta Taylor.