Some members of Alabama’s coaching staff did not experience the dreadful matchup against South Florida last year.
Fans that watched from television saw four things: an awful camera angle at times, horrible weather conditions, Jalen Milroe not playing a single snap, and a sloppy offensive performance.
The Crimson Tide had to earn a 17-3 win in Tampa (Fla.), but several media personalities felt Alabama would not win a Southeastern Conference Championship or make the College Football Playoff.
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Alabama had the last laugh, but its veteran players still remember the game.
This time, the contest is at Bryant-Denny Stadium and Milroe is not in a quarterback competition.
He is the guy on offense under Kalen DeBoer and Nick Sheridan. The Tide knows South Florida runs a high-tempo offense, but its defense is ready.
Byrum Brown returns as the Bulls’ quarterback after having 87 yards passing and 92 yards rushing in a tough 2023 game.
Jihaad Campbell, a junior linebacker for Alabama, said the Tide is ‘going to get after’ South Florida.
“They run a lot of tempo, but we are a tempo defense,” Campbell said.
In answering a question about facing Brown this weekend, Campbell had one answer.
“We will see him on Saturday,” he said.
Campbell does not forget and Kalen DeBoer had a very important message in Monday’s presser.
“Respect all, but fear none,” DeBoer said.
South Florida has Alabama’s full attention.
Saturday’s game and field dedication for Nick Saban should be entertaining.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
