The “Fire Pete Golding” chants have grown quiet among the Alabama fan base.
People wanted to see the return of dominance on defense, and this Crimson Tide team is playing like the defenses of old in the Nick Saban era. Coach Golding has athletes getting home with pressure on quarterbacks, the Tide has allowed only two touchdowns, and it ranks in the top 10 in several categories in college football. Alabama is flying around the field, making crushing hits with bad intentions, and maintaining discipline. Will Anderson is the unit’s leader, but several others have started stepping up to help him. Jaylen Moody leads the defense for total tackles (25) and Henry To’oto’o is playing much better.
RELATED: Georgia Tech becomes the third head coaching vacancy for Bill O’Brien
The Tide has Justin Eboigbe, Byron Young, Jaheim Oatis, Tim Smith, and DJ Dale (in spot action) pushing the pocket and making life difficult for quarterbacks. Anderson has the team’s lone forced turnover — a pick-six versus Louisiana-Monroe — but the defense has been lights out. Alabama is third nationally for scoring defense (7.3 ppg allowed), second for total defense (201.2 ypg allowed), fourth for rush defense (62.3 ypg allowed), sixth for pass defense (138.8 ypg allowed), and seventh for pass efficiency defense (94.92). The Tide ranks ahead of Georgia in all five categories named, despite the Bulldogs getting much attention from national media. Alabama is second for third-down defense, allowing a conversion rate of 18.6 percent (11-for-59).
The turnovers will happen for Alabama’s defense, but it is allowing fewer points than the 2011 unit (8.2 ppg allowed) that won the 2012 BCS National Championship Game in dominating LSU. The Tide must take this success on the road versus Arkansas and send a message to the college football world.
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber-only content!*
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.
