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    Joel Klatt Names Biggest 'Fear' for SEC Championship Contender

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    By Jordan Sigler

    Copyright newsweek

    Joel Klatt Names Biggest 'Fear' for SEC Championship Contender

    Following a disappointing 31-17 loss in their season opener to Florida State, Alabama has proven to be a threat in the SEC. The No. 17 Crimson Tide knocked off then-No. 5 Georgia on Sept. 27 before defeating then-No. 16 Vanderbilt soundly in a 30-14 statement win on Saturday.

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    Roadblocks in the schedule aren’t going away anytime soon for Alabama. They have yet to play No. 14 Missouri, No. 12 Tennessee, No. 11 LSU and No. 6 Oklahoma.

    EVANSTON, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 13: Fox Sports reporter Joel Klatt looks on prior to the game between the Northwestern Wildcats and the Oregon Ducks at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

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    During an appearance on “The Next Round” podcast on Monday, Joel Klatt of Fox Sports had praise for quarterback Ty Simpson but argued that how the run game complements the offense will determine how far Alabama can go for the rest of the season.

    Klatt cautioned that if they become one-dimensional, they could suffer a similar fate to what happened to Washington when they lost the national championship to Michigan in 2023.

    “They don’t have to be great running the football, but you don’t want to be Washington of a few years ago that, like, once they got their back hurt, they couldn’t really run it, and then all of a sudden, you run into a team of the great pass rush, and you’re stuck,” Klatt said. “That’s that’s the fear for me for Alabama.

    “And if you don’t protect him (Simpson), it turns into Florida State, right? So you got to protect him twofold, with quality offensive line play and at least a competent run game to keep the defense honest. And if they can do that, then I think Alabama might win the SEC.”

    “If Ty Simpson’s name was Ty Manning, we would cancel the end of the season Heisman Trophy ceremony and just do it now.” – @joelklatt @MyBookie pic.twitter.com/SRdNr9pnst— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) October 6, 2025

    The Crimson Tide are averaging 3.9 yards per carry this season, rushing for a total of 634 yards through their first five games. Alabama is averaging 127.2 yards per game, which ranks 93rd in the country. For now, Alabama is relying on Simpson to win games.

    Klatt suggested Simpson is worthy of being the Heisman Trophy conversation.

    “If Ty Simpson’s name was Ty Manning, we would cancel the end of the season Heisman Trophy ceremony and just do it now,“ Klatt said. “That’s the best pure passing game in college football. Simpson has been the best quarterback in college football from a passing perspective.”

    Simpson has been the main focus of the offense, throwing for 1,478 yards, 13 touchdowns and one interception.

    For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.

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