Some people have chosen to reserve their judgment on the Alabama defense until the Southeastern Conference Championship Game; however, others have seen its overall improvement in the last seven games.
Not having enough time to work in the preseason (no spring at all) played a role in its early struggles, but the Crimson Tide has found its stride with Pete Golding as of late.
A lot of commotion was made of Alabama surrendering 91 total points — 30.3 ppg — through its first three matchups, and fans wanted Golding to be released from his duties.
Something clicked at its team meeting during the week of the Georgia game, and the Tide has been much better since then. Supporters of Alabama football, local media and national pundits have witnessed performances that resemble the dominant Tide defenses in recent years under Nick Saban.
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Listed below is a stats breakdown of Alabama’s improvement since the Ole Miss game.
Alabama defensive numbers since Ole Miss
-77 total points allowed, 11 ppg
-17 shutout quarters of football, one complete game shutout (Mississippi State)
-1,982 total yards allowed, 283.1 ypg
-678 rushing yards, 97 ypg (no 100-yard rusher, individual)
-34/109 third down conversions allowed, 31.2 percent
-22 sacks, eight vs. Arkansas (season-high)
-15 forced turnovers, four vs. Arkansas (season-high)
-Three touchdowns, including two pick-sixes
Whether he has simplified the defense himself or other coaches have helped out, Golding has played a critical role in quieting early season doubters. According to Patrick Surtain II, the junior at cornerback said Alabama’s defensive coordinator has helped the group focus on the little things.
“He has helped us with communication, flying around to the ball, being as one sound in unison,” Surtain said of Golding. “The younger guys are going to him for extra film study, even the older guys, we are all locked into one particular thing and that’s becoming one of the most dominant defenses in college football.”
Alabama’s had four games where it gave up less than 17 points — Mississippi State, Kentucky, Auburn and Arkansas — and three games where it allowed 200 yards of offense or less. On Sunday, Coach Saban spoke to reporters in an SEC Championship Coaches Teleconference and he spoke highly of the job Golding has done as a play caller in getting things turned around.
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“Pete’s really worked hard this year, done a really good job with our players in terms of being patient and teaching, allowing them to learn and grow. I can’t say enough about the job he’s done,” Saban said.
For Golding, his finest work has been developing the freshmen.
Malachi Moore (cornerback) and William Anderson (outside linebacker) are among the team’s leading tacklers with 41 and 37 stops, respectively. Anderson is developing into a true edge player, as he totaled 8.5 tackles for loss, five sacks and eight quarterback pressures (team-high). Moore has four tackles for loss, six pass breakups, three interceptions (team-high), one fumble recovery and one touchdown. Brian Branch, a defensive back, has two picks, three breakups and one quarterback hurry.
Tim Smith, a defensive lineman, has one sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss, one quarterback hurry and one forced fumble.
In his second year with Christian Harris, Golding has the sophomore linebacker and Baton Rouge (La.) native chosen as a semifinalist for the Butkus Award. Harris leads Alabama in total tackles (65) and chimes in with five tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two pass breakups and six quarterback hurries. He suffered a shoulder injury versus Arkansas, but has a chance to play this week.
When it comes to players such as Christian Barmore and Christopher Allen, both have morphed into sack specialists.
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Barmore leads the team in sacks (six), while Allen is behind him with five sacks. The tandem combines for 11 quarterback pressures and four forced fumbles. Alabama has been very thankful to have Allen healthy for the first time since 2017.
Dan Mullen and the Florida Gators will challenge the Tide’s defense.
Per Saban, he compared Florida’s offense to what LSU did last season with Joe Burrow.
As champions of the SEC East, the Gators bring in an offensive group that averages 41.2 points per game.
Like Alabama, Florida has a Heisman Trophy candidate in Kyle Trask at quarterback and a group of very talented receiving options.
This will be an opportunity for the Crimson Tide to show before the College Football Playoff that its defense is lethal.
Golding and company have been surging, but now it has its biggest test.
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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.
