A lack of leadership on defense hurt Alabama this season.
As much as Xavier McKinney did for this team, he can’t do it all by himself.
Injuries to Dylan Moses, Joshua McMillon and LaBryan Ray put this team in a bind. Nick Saban wanted Pete Golding to be the guy so bad at defensive coordinator, but not even that worked out.
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The Crimson Tide finds itself out of the College Football Playoff for the first time since the format started in 2014. It suffered a 48-45 loss to Auburn on Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium and despite a valiant effort from Mac Jones, defensive issues rose again in the Iron Bowl.
Both Moses and McKinney are eligible to declare for the 2020 NFL Draft, but Saban’s best chance at having the “Bama factor” defense he wants is convincing both guys to return.
Moses had two years of playing experience at middle linebacker and was destined to win the Butkus Award; however, a preseason knee injury sidelined him this year.
Not having its anchor forced Alabama to turn to Shane Lee and while the freshman is talented, he is not ready to handle the stage yet. The defense was set with Moses in mind and Saban must sell the Baton Rouge (La.) native on how much better the unit will be if he chooses to play his senior year.
As for McKinney, Saban has to persuade him that working with Jordan Battle, DeMarcco Hellams, Daniel Wright and Eddie Smith another year would be huge.
The native Georgian wants to make plays, he just does not need to be making every play. Whatever cards he decides to pull, Tide fans hope the master negotiator can get this defense back to where it once was.
This starts with getting Moses and McKinney 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.
