The “Ball Out” turnover belt is one of Alabama’s best forms of motivation.
Players celebrate by grabbing the belt on the sideline after making a huge play.
RELATED: Alabama football continues prep work for Louisiana-Monroe
Alabama had several years under Nick Saban when the season started and ended with someone flashing the belt.
After two games, no one has held it. People expected this group to be the best defense of the Saban era. Media (both local and national), Tide fans, and players spoke about it. Brian Branch, Dallas Turner, and Chris Braswell were on In My Own Words for Touchdown Alabama Magazine during the summer, and the trio said this bunch had the potential to be the best to come through.
It has a chance to be great, but we need to see the turnover belt. Alabama emerged from matchups against Utah State and Texas without a turnover. The Tide opened 2021 by forcing turnovers against Miami (three) and Mercer (two), including three interceptions. On Tuesday, senior defensive end Byron Young spoke about Alabama’s hunger to create turnovers.
“It is discussed a lot,” he said. “I think that is something we have to focus on more. It is something we have to be more intentional about in practice. We have a turnover circuit every day, and we take pride in it. We have been known for creating turnovers in the past. It is something that bothers us, and we have to concentrate on it.”
Alabama performs several turnover drills in practice, but Saturday’s game against Louisiana-Monroe is an opportunity to make plays at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Tide has two weeks to have its defense getting stops, making plays, and dominating opponents before going to Arkansas.
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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.
