Alabama’s rushing attack is improving each week and after a performance that saw both its featured running backs average over five yards per carry, it has a chance to be really good next week versus Jimbo Fisher and Texas A&M at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas.
The success has been geared toward the offensive line starting to mesh well together and the return of Deonte Brown to the rotation.
After missing six games, dating back to last year’s College Football Playoff, the redshirt junior came back against Mississippi and played well.
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He rotated with Evan Neal at left guard in the second half and the duo of Najee Harris and Brian Robinson did not lose a yard as runners.
Both guys combined for 131 yards on 19 carries, and Robinson in particular looked very strong with Brown in the game.
The 6-foot-4, 338-pounder cleared the way for the junior and former four-star to post 60 yards rushing on 10 carries.
With the Aggies allowing 108.4 yards rushing a game (542 yards, five games) and five touchdowns on the ground, one can see why Robinson is smiling to have Brown back.
“He’s very physical,” Robinson said of Brown. “He moves very well for his size. He is smart and he knows his assignment. That is something I am excited for to have him back in the rotation. He is very stout… He reads the blocks perfectly and he does what he has to do on the back end.”
Despite making some improvements on defense, Texas A&M is surrendering nearly four yards per carry (3.74) and Nick Saban wants to control the game. Tua Tagovailoa is having a great season and one that can secure him as the program’s first Heisman-winning quarterback; however, is the team willing to take the ball from Tagovailoa and entrust its backs?
We’ll see what happens next week, but Robinson wants to make the most of his opportunities – especially with Brown back.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
