Alabama’s defense has been better all-around in one season under Kevin Steele than five years with Pete Golding.
The players are performing with an attacking mindset, Steele’s adjustments have been strong, and the group has more energy.
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Alabama has been arguably the best second-half team in college football. It limited Georgia to under 80 yards rushing and pressured Carson Beck in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game. The Crimson Tide could have blown out the Bulldogs, but it did not cash in on different opportunities. Alabama’s defense will face a good Michigan offense, but its identity is primarily rooted in the running game. Blake Corum, a senior running back, is the Wolverines’ best offensive player. He leads the team with 1,028 yards rushing and 24 touchdowns. Corum also has 14 receptions for 82 yards. He averages 17 rushing attempts per game, and Michigan wants to give him the ball as much as possible. Corum sets up Michigan’s passing game with J.J. McCarthy as its starting quarterback. McCarthy, a junior, has statistics that are comparable to Jalen Milroe of Alabama.
McCarthy has 2,630 passing yards and 19 touchdowns with four interceptions.
He does not make a lot of mistakes, and he also has three rushing scores. Michigan does not have a premier deep threat at wide receiver; however, Roman Wilson leads the unit with 41 catches for 662 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Wolverines have four other receiving options with 20+ catches and two other playmakers — joining Wilson — that have 500+ yards receiving. Coach Steele has a task to shut down the Wolverines. He has a defense that has been playing its best as of late. Dallas Turner, a linebacker, leads the group in sacks (nine), tackles for loss (13.5), and quarterback hurries (13). Chris Braswell, a linebacker, joins him as one of the nation’s top edge rushers. Alabama’s defensive line has to maintain gap integrity against Corum, not allowing him to rip marquee runs. It also has to play in the Wolverines’ backfield to free up Turner and Braswell to get home on McCarthy for sacks.
Terrion Arnold, a cornerback, leads the secondary with five interceptions and 11 pass breakups.
Steele and Travaris Robinson (secondary coach) have to have the defensive backs on their A game.
Steele can shut down Michigan, but it starts with the Tide taking away Corum. We will see how they go about doing it.
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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.
