Record: 6-2 overall, 3-2 in the SEC
Alabama suffered a shocking loss to Vanderbilt on October 5th. Lost an ugly offensive game to Tennessee on October 19th. Most impressive win was against Georgia on September 28th. Crimson Tide raced out to a 28-point lead and led by 23 at halftime. Lost the lead late in the fourth quarter, only to regain it a few seconds later and then hold on to the 41-34 victory.
Head coach: Kalen DeBoer
DeBoer is in his first season, trying to replace the greatest college football coach of all-time. DeBoer led Washington to the College Football Playoff National Championship game last season. The 50-year-old has also coached at Fresno State and Sioux Falls. His overall head coaching record is an impressive 110-14. Yes, that’s correct he’s only had 14 losses as a head coach. He went 67-3 at Sioux Falls, 12-6 at Fresno and 25-3 at Washington.
There is a looser feel around the Alabama football program. After losing to Tennessee, the players talked about refocusing on the small things and that includes tucking in their shirts and arriving to meetings earlier.
You can say that this is an undisciplined Alabama team. They average 8.6 penalties per game, sixth worst in college football.
Offense
* 4th in the SEC scoring offense at 38 points a game.
* 9th in the SEC total offense averaging 448 yards a game.
* 5th in the SEC rushing offense averaging 178 yards a game
* 7th in the SEC passing offense averaging 254 yards.
Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe is 5th in the SEC passing offense as he’s thrown for 1,937 yards with 13 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. He’s also rushed for 380 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Milroe had a huge game against LSU last year as he threw for 219 yards and rushed for 155 yards and four touchdowns.
His best game this year was against Georgia where he threw for 374 yards and a touchdown and also rushed for 117 yards and two scores. Did not have a good game at Tennessee as he was 25 of 45 for 239 yards and two interceptions. He was also held to 11 rushing yards.
Milroe has to lead the Tide to a win in a big road environment.
Jamarion Miller and Justice Haynes split time at running back. Miller has 450 yards rushing as he’s a shifty runner with speed who also has a touchdown pass. Haynes is coming off a 79-yard rushing performance against Mizzou.
Ryan Williams is Bama’s stud receiver. He’s only 17-years-old and leads the team in with 35 catches for 702 yards and seven touchdowns. Williams is averaging 20 yards a catch. Williams had six catches for 177 yards, including a game-winning 75 yard touchdown catch against Georgia.
Left guard Tyler Booker anchors Alabama’s offensive lineman. He received SEC Offensive lineman of the week honors for his performance against Missouri two weeks ago. He had ten knockdown blocks.
Defense
* 6th in scoring defense in the SEC allowing 19 points a game
* 11th in total defense in the SEC allowing 338 yards a game
* 14th in the SEC in rush defense allowing 145 yards a game.
* 6th in the SEC in pass defense in the SEC allowing 193 yards a game
Alabama’s defense has fallen off this year. They lack that big time first round draft choice on this defense and you no longer have Nick Saban involved in the game plan. Former South Alabama coach Kame Womack is the defensive coordinator.
Linebackers Jihaad Campbell and Deontae Lawson each have 66 tackles. Lawson is the leader of the defense and he’s projected to go in the fourth round.
Alabama has forced 18 turnovers. They intercepted three passes in the Mizzou and Georgia games. But they only have 18 sacks on the year.
The last four games, they’ve allowed at least 132 yards rushing, so a good game for the Tigers run game to get on track.
Kicker
Graham Nicholson 4-for-6 on field goals. 47 is his long. Nicholson is the reigning Lou Groza Winner after making 27 fo 28 at Miami of Ohio last year.