2024 Alabama Football Early Opponent Preview for Game 10: Alabama Central provides a comprehensive preview of the Crimson Tide’s future opponents, including the FCS team Mercer Bears.
The ‘cupcake game’ has been a fixture on SEC football schedules for almost a decade, much to the chagrin of the rest of the collegiate football community.
Every season, in late November, the majority of SEC teams schedule an inferior team, often from the FCS or Group of Five level, just before rivalry week to serve as a tune-up for the regular season finale and postseason.
This year’s ‘cupcake’ on the Alabama schedule is the Mercer Bears of the SoCon in the FCS, but the game will be a little different.
Alabama’s annual FCS game is usually played the week before the Iron Bowl, allowing for a tune-up game before taking on one of the sport’s most heated rivals. This year, however, the FCS game is a week sooner, preceding the Crimson Tide’s difficult two-game season finale against Oklahoma and Auburn.
It’s no surprise that Mercer and Alabama will have different talent levels because they play football at a completely different level. Furthermore, Mercer is starting its first year with a new head coach after Drew Cronic resigned to become the offensive coordinator at Navy.
To replace Cronic, Mercer signed Mike Jacobs from Lenoir-Rhyne, who will try to return the Bears to the FCS Playoffs after finishing 9-4 previous season and falling in the second round.
Offense
Last season, Mercer’s offensive was ordinary to below average in rankings compared to the rest of the FCS, placing No. 88 in total offense, and the 2024 iteration is expected to feature a large number of new faces.
Starting quarterback Carter Peevy quit the program, leaving Hess Horne as the only quarterback on the roster who has thrown an in-game pass in 2023. Last season, Hess completed only one of three throws for four yards and will most likely be thrown into the fire as the starting quarterback due to the lack of experience on the roster.
Al Wooten II, a starter at running back, moved up to the Power Four level and joined Duke. Tyrell Coard, who averaged an effective 5.1 yards per carry on 48 carries last season, came in behind him and will take over as starting running back.
There is much more inexperience out wide. Travion Solomon, Mercer’s top returning pass-catcher, had 121 yards on 14 receptions last season, but he was a starter and the team’s third-leading receiver. Starting tight end Sam Albee and rotating receiver Parker Wroble, who had 19 catches for less than 100 yards last season, will also return.
The Bears are in a terrific position with returning offensive line talent. Only two starters return from 2023: center Riley Adcock and left guard Israel Mukwiza. Both players were recognized to the All-SoCon team for their accomplishments in 2023, and they will seek to lead this inexperienced offense as the season begins.
Defense
The Mercer defense will return more contributions than the offense, including some of its statistical leaders.
Mercer’s secondary produced the most, with cornerbacks Dainsus Miller and Myles Weston, as well as safety Myles Redding, returning to recover their starting positions. Last season, Weston and Miller both finished second on the team in pass breakups, while Redding and Weston tied for second in interceptions.
Linebacker Marques Thomas returns to the lineup after being second on the team in solo tackles last year and ranking among the top five in sacks. He is joined by Isaiah Washburn, who started four games this season and has gained experience as he enters his upperclassman years.
Brayden Manley, the Bears’ interior defensive lineman, returns after compiling 4.5 sacks as a freshman last season.
With the returning production, it appears safe to anticipate that Mercer can improve on their top-50 defense rating from a year ago, but it will require a strong defensive unit given the offense’s inexperience.
Schedule
As previously stated, this game comes two weeks before the Iron Bowl rather than the usual one, which means it will act as a warm-up for an exceedingly difficult closing stretch to complete the season.
Alabama’s game against Mercer comes between road trips to LSU and Oklahoma, not to mention the Iron Bowl during Thanksgiving week. Alabama dropped their previous game in Death Valley, and Oklahoma’s fans will be ready for Alabama’s first SEC visit.
If the squad loses against LSU, this game might act as a reset for the club, but it could also be used to tighten things up before the regular season’s home stretch.
Mercer’s second-to-last game of the season comes before the season finale versus Furman. Last year, the Bears faced their SEC opponent early in the season, taking on Ole Miss in September. The trip to Oxford was not pleasant, as Ole Miss won 73-7.
Outlook
Nick Saban would not be delighted with my presumption that Alabama will win, but let us not mislead ourselves.
Alabama is by far the stronger team and, barring a miracle, will emerge unscathed on November 16.
The most concerning component of these games for the better tea can be injuries, but if the Crimson Tide can put on a dominate performance and get some excellent reps while keeping healthy, as is expected, it will be a fantastic outing.
Game date: November 16th.
Time: 1 p.m. CT.
TV: SEC Network+
Location: Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Series history: Alabama leads 4-0.
Alabama last played Mercer in September 2021, winning 48-14. Early in his Heisman Trophy campaign, quarterback Bryce Young completed 19 of 27 passes for three touchdowns and 227 yards.
Mike Jacobs, the team’s first season coach, has a 74-17 career record in Division II.
Offensive Coordinator: Anthony Soto
Defensive Coordinator: Jahmal Brown
2023 Record: 9-4 (6-2 SoCon).
2023 FCS Rankings: Total offense: No. 88, Total defense: No. 48.
Returning starters: 9 (4 on offense, 5 on defense).
Players To Watch
C Riley Adcock of LG Israel Mukwiza, WR Travion Soloman, LB Marques Thomas, S Myles Redding, DL Brayden Manley, and CB Myles Weston
Biggest Question
Can Mike Jacobs lead Mercer back to the FCS playoffs in his first season after losing so much offensive production?
School Location: Macon, Georgia.
Founded in 1833.
Enrollment: 4,699.
Nickname: Bears
Colors: Black and Orange.
Mascot: Toby the Bear
The program has never won a game against Alabama.
Last time won SoCon: Never.
National Championships: None
FCS Playoff Appearances: 1. 2023
Conference Championships: None
Last 4 recruiting classes: 180 (2023), 162 (2022), 205 (2021), and 204 (2020).
Schedule: August 29: vs Presbyterian September 7: at Bethune-Cookman.
The following games are scheduled: September 14 at Chattanooga, September 21 at The Citadel, September 28 at Wofford, October 12 at Princeton, October 19 at Samford, October 26 at Western Carolina, November 2 at East Tennessee State, November 9 at VMI, November 16 at Alabama, and November 23 at Furman.
