Much like years past, the first half of the 2020 Iron Bowl was hard-fought and physical.
But there was a significant difference for Alabama this year, for head coach Nick Saban is quarantining at home after testing positive for COVID-19. It is the first game in over a decade where Alabama has someone else leaving the way, but after watching the first half it’d be tough to notice many differences.
Offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, who has taken up some of the head coaching responsibilities, has picked up right where he left off as the Crimson Tide strategically moved the ball and hit the deep man when it was there.
Quarterback Mac Jones was once again extremely efficient after a slow first drive, as he broke out of the 0/2 start with a 66-yard touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith which jump-started the offense.
Auburn’s defensive front held the run game in check for a fair bit in the opening two quarters but Najee Harris was able to make plays in the receiving game which helped the Tide move the ball.
But the biggest surprise from the first half had to have been from Alabama’s defense as it appeared to play like the unit Crimson Tide fans are used to seeing.
Stopping the run, making open-field tackles and completing sacks were regularities for a defense that has been steadily improving throughout the year.
Daniel Wright and Josh Jobe made multiple big tackles in the open field to halt runs and freshman Malachi Moore picked off Auburn quarterback Bo Nix to end the second quarter.
All in all, it was a solid performance on both sides of the football from the Crimson Tide.
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
