A person can say something and not be truthful, but concern comes when the masses are on one accord.
Nick Saban became Alabama’s head football coach in 2007.
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One of the first things he said to the crowd of hungry Crimson Tide fans in Tuscaloosa wanting to be great again was, “We are going to give you a product you can be proud of.” He has been accurate on that claim for longevity, winning six national championships and eight Southeastern Conference Championships. However, Tide fans expect greatness every season.
They want each game to have the elite, dominant product on the field they crave.
When the product is not good, Alabama fans are vocal about it.
Fans were not pleased with the product it got against Tennessee last week. Alabama had 17 penalties (most in school history), several defensive mistakes, and numerous self-inflicted wounds. Coach Saban built the program on discipline. Alabama was not going to beat itself with mistakes, and if an opponent won, it defeated the Tide with a superhuman effort. This season, however, has been for Saban. Alabama had 15 penalties against Texas and several versus Texas A&M, but it escaped with victories.
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It did not escape Neyland Stadium after many mistakes.
Defensively, Alabama used to have “mean” guys that controlled the temperature of the locker room. They had players such as Rolando McClain, Dont’a Hightower, Courtney Upshaw, Damion Square, Jonathan Allen, A’Shawn Robinson, Jarran Reed, Tim Williams, Ryan Anderson, Reuben Foster, and Reggie Ragland that demanded excellence. The Tide also had players such as Tony Brown, Ronnie Harrison, Eddie Jackson, and Minkah Fitzpatrick that played with relentless passion. Saban does not have those athletes across the board on defense and fans see it. Alabama did not get pressure on Volunteers’ quarterback Hendon Hooker and he took the secondary apart. He tossed five touchdowns to wide receiver Jaylin Hyatt in a 52-49 victory for the Vols.
The 52 points were the most allowed by an Alabama defense in the Saban era.
Tide fans grew accustomed to Alabama’s defense snatching the soul from teams the moment it stepped off the bus or plane. Fans enjoyed Tony Brown getting the opposition scared before kickoff when he walked through the opponent’s pregame warmup with no shirt on. Supporters relished watching players on the sideline jumping up and down. Alabama football was hardcore in the early years of Nick Saban, but the edge has fallen. Opposing teams can run and throw on Alabama’s defense. The Tide is giving the opposition success with penalties, undisciplined mistakes, blown coverages, lack of a pass rush, and poor communication.
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This is not something fans are proud of, and they are voicing concerns.
45 seconds and couldn’t stop them. Alabama has became soft and undisciplined this season.
— steven (@StevenKnowzBall) October 15, 2022
Alabama is undisciplined. Even in some of the games vs cupcakes… they had more penalties.
Penalties
Alabama 17 – Tennessee 6
Alabama 15 – Texas 5
Alabama 10 – Arkansas 6
Alabama 6 – Texas A&M 8
Alabama 6 – Vanderbilt 6
Alabama 6 – UL Monroe 3
Alabama 6 – Utah St 11— Toxic_Masculinity_Today🇺🇲👊💪🗣 (@Fredy_P_Soft) October 17, 2022
Nick Saban must be getting soft bc this is the most undisciplined Alabama team I have ever seen.
— JJ (@Chitle43) September 10, 2022
Saban is to soft now. We need 07-09 Saban. This soft shit ain’t working. These players don’t listen. They spike the ball. They commit to many penalties. Saban ripped marcel Darius ass in 09 Natty for Throwing ball. Now .. does nothing.
— DeSantis2024 (@DeSantis4Prez24) October 16, 2022
Soft as a marshmallow, flat footed, no hurries , no sacks, @CoachGolding famous 3- 8 Prevent defense prevented Alabama from winning
— Roy D Mercer (@RDByGodMercer) October 15, 2022
Alabama has gone soft. Pathetic. Recruit some Decatur boys again
— Dalton (@TheNameIsDalt0n) October 15, 2022
I don’t wanna see a single Alabama player talking shit on twitter this week. Soft ass team cares more about social media than the game. I miss when we had a defense that gave a shit. We’d be 4-3 right now if not for Bryce Young dragging our lifeless bodies across the finish line
— 🐘🐻 (@grizzzgang) October 16, 2022
How did Alabama progressively get this soft and flat over the years?
— Kanye Twitty (@kanyeTwittyy92) October 15, 2022
If changes have to be made to the coaching staff or players in the lineup, something must be done fast.
Alabama controls its destiny in the SEC West, but it cannot have undisciplined play against Mississippi State, LSU, Ole Miss, and Auburn and expect to win. Saban has to find a way to fix the sloppy effort because this is not championship football right now.
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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.
