The University of Alabama football program was a second-half team in Nick Saban’s early years.
Alabama won BCS National Championships in 2009, 2011, and 2012 off the strength of being a second-half unit.
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It would have moments of excellence in the first half, but the Crimson Tide knew the second half of games was when it could impose its will and wear down opponents. This year’s Alabama team is built the ones of old. Coach Saban has a dynamic second-half unit on his hands. Alabama is in the driver’s seat to win the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference and play for a conference championship because of its adjustments at halftime. The Tide’s production in the second half of SEC games has been insane, despite getting outscored versus Arkansas. Alabama has outscored its SEC opponents, 94-35, in the second half of matchups through six conference games. Saban’s group held Mississippi and Texas A&M to three points while allowing seven second-half points to Mississippi State and LSU. Alabama pitched a second-half shutout against the Tennessee Volunteers.
Arkansas is the lone SEC team to outscore the Tide in the second half (15-3). Alabama’s halftime adjustments versus LSU limited Jayden Daniels to 22 yards rushing in the second half. Tommy Rees, the Crimson Tide’s offensive coordinator, called his best game of the season. Alabama totaled 42 points, marking its second 40-point performance against an SEC opponent.
The Tide faces Kentucky for a chance to capture the SEC West.
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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.
