I’m not going to argue that he’s the best quarterback or player in the country. But he might be the guy defensive coordinators least want to see in a playoff game. Don’t get me wrong, I know Jeremiah Smith exists, and there aren’t many defenses out there with a concrete plan on how to stop him, but you can at least slow him down if you put pressure on Julian Sayin.
I don’t know that you can pressure Russell. I swear there are no fewer than three times per game when, by all rights, Russell should be sacked. The defense has him surrounded in the pocket, with nowhere to go, but then the next thing you know, he’s found somewhere to go, and he’s gone there. Often going even further.
They’re the kind of plays defenses can’t plan for, and they’re the kind that break your spirit. You do everything right, and it doesn’t matter. First down, or touchdown, Alabama. Ya done been Keelon’d. All things considered, Mississippi State actually did a decent job with Russell on Saturday. The Bulldogs did sack him four times, which brought his rushing total down to 16 yards.
Unfortunately, Russell isn’t one of those mobile quarterbacks who are neutralized when you make them into passers. He had no problem throwing for 285 yards and three touchdowns on 22 attempts, which is why he’s terrifying.
