Alabama fans and former players expected dominance from the Crimson Tide against Texas.
Coach Nick Saban and the Tide emerged with a win, but it was an ugly victory last week.
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The common theme in 2021 was ineffective play-calling from Bill O’Brien as offensive coordinator. Bryce Young became Alabama’s first Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, but he did it despite the play-calling. The Tide did not have effective balance or creativity from O’Brien, yet it nearly won a College Football Playoff National Championship. Several times against the Longhorns commentators mentioned how O’Brien abandoned the run game. Jahmyr Gibbs and Jase McClellan had success, including an 81-yard touchdown run by McClellan. If one removed McClellan’s run and a couple plays from Young, Alabama had under 100 yards rushing. Fans and former players were frustrated that the Tide could not flex its muscles in the ground game.
Frustration also came in the passing game. No plays were called to put wide receivers in a situation to get open.
Alabama had no screens, jet sweeps, pop passes, or anything to spread Texas’ defense out. Steve Sarkisian had Quinn Ewers and the Longhorns offense taking deep shots all game. Texas played with confidence, and it felt like O’Brien’s script was vanilla.
The offensive line needs to get in order for Alabama, but O’Brien has to take advantage of his personnel.
He has to get his best athletes in situations to be confident playmakers. Alabama has two weeks to prepare for Arkansas, and the remaining gauntlet of its SEC schedule. O’Brien has to get this offense to be fine-tuned, and it starts versus Louisiana-Monroe.
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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.
