Alabama’s offensive line has a statement game Saturday against Ole Miss.
Nick Saban spoke about the group’s character during the summer, but now Crimson Tide fans want to see the guys up front perform actions of dominance on the field. Several veterans on Alabama’s offensive unit — including JC Latham, Tyler Booker, and Seth McLaughlin — talked to reporters about the group focused on making opponents quit. The players have not followed suit with actions from the conversations, and former players are frustrated on social media. Tide fans are also frustrated because they are used to seeing eliteness from the front line. Courtney Upshaw, a former two-time BCS National Champion (2009, 2011), is tired of all the talk. The Alabama native wants action now and is pissed off about what he’s seeing from the offensive line.
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Upshaw, now the defensive line coach at Pell City High School, challenged Alabama’s offensive line in an interview with Chris McCulley of ABC 33/40 in Birmingham, Ala. Before becoming a coach, he was a first-team All-American (2011), a first-team All-SEC selection (2011), and a Super Bowl Champion for the Baltimore Ravens. Upshaw said now it is time for the line to perform.
Former Alabama player Courtney Upshaw on his thoughts about Alabama so far this season @abc3340
“All these OL coming out to the media we pissed off you’re supposed to be pissed off what are you telling everybody for hopefully you are pissed off now go out there and perform” pic.twitter.com/hwX8MoeHBO
— Chris McCulley (@ChrisMcCulleyTV) September 20, 2023
“I am ‘Bama through and through,” Upshaw said. “It does not matter what school I’m at, but can we start doing all this talking? Can we stop comparing people to the great defense that was under Saban until they prove it? We keep going into these seasons saying this is going to be the best team Alabama will produce, but then they don’t perform that way. We keep having these offensive linemen coming out in meetings saying, ‘Oh we are pissed off.’ You are supposed to be pissed off. What are we telling everybody? Hopefully, you are pissed off. Now go out there and perform.”
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Upshaw is speaking from the mindset of don’t talk about it, be about it.
The offensive line needs to take heed. Alabama faces the Rebels at 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
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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.
