Alabama fans have wondered since the offseason about whether Kevin Steele was the right hire as defensive coordinator.
Some continue asking whether he or Travaris Robinson is calling playing on defense.
The Crimson Tide has something cooking because its pass rush has turned a new leaf since the Texas game. After not affecting Quinn Ewers, the Tide made it a nightmare for South Florida’s, Mississippi’s, and Mississippi State’s passing game. Alabama’s defense has 17 sacks on the season, including 13 in the last three games. It generated five against USF, five versus Ole Miss, and four last week against Mississippi State. The increased pressure created 28 tackles for loss, 14 quarterback hurries, and 14 turnovers, including eight on downs. Malachi Moore, Terrion Arnold, and Caleb Downs have recorded an interception as defensive backs in a three-game stretch. Alabama’s pass rush also created a pick-six for linebacker Chris Braswell last week.
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Nick Saban’s group is one of the best this season in team sacks.
Dallas Turner, a junior linebacker, leads the team with 5.5 sacks.
The national championship teams for Alabama in the Saban era were those that consistently had defenses that affected quarterbacks. Saban has a unit that is forming an identity at the right time. The Tide has Texas A&M next on its schedule and its slate gets harder from here. It can be one of if not the best defenses in college football if it continues on the trend it is on.
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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.
