Alabama fans have targeted him for criticism, but Nick Saban has no problems with Bill O’Brien.
He assessed Alabama’s first-year offensive coordinator on Thursday. Despite having its lowest scoring output of the season against LSU, Saban likes what O’Brien is doing.
Before the matchup with the Tigers, the Crimson Tide scored 40+ points versus Miami, Mercer, Southern Mississippi, Mississippi (Ole Miss), Mississippi State, and Tennessee.
Alabama is fourth in the nation and first in the Southeastern Conference for scoring offense, averaging 43 points per game. Bryce Young is leading the Heisman race as a first-year starting quarterback. Jameson Williams and John Metchie are in the running for the Biletnikoff Award. During his radio show, “Hey Coach,” Coach Saban did not put the blame squarely on O’Brien for the offensive showing.
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“I actually think he’s done a pretty good job,” Saban said of O’Brien. “I think we all had a bad game last week. He’d be the first to say that, and me, too, because we’re responsible for what happens on the field and it wasn’t good, especially on that side of the ball.”
The Tide has been looking at areas to strengthen its offensive line. If Darrian Dalcourt (ankle) does not play versus New Mexico State, sophomore Seth McLaughlin will start at center.
Damieon George, a sophomore, will line up at right tackle.
It will be interesting what happens Saturday, especially with Alabama needing to dominate the matchup.
O’Brien needs a bounce-back game in terms of play-calling. Hopefully, he will have everything in order against the Aggies.
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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.
