Alabama fans are grateful for victories, especially those against marquee opponents, but they also had a huge concern.
Nick Sheridan, the Crimson Tide’s offensive coordinator, looked like Lane Kiffin and Steve Sarkisian in the first half against Georgia over the weekend. He dialed up a masterclass performance that put Kirby Smart and his defensive gurus in a bind.
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Smart could not stop the Tide’s offense as Sheridan attacked Georgia from every angle.
Alabama jumped out to a 28-0 lead and took a 30-7 lead into halftime. Sheridan fed everyone the football, including tight ends, and brought so many looks that had the Bulldogs confused.
Jalen Milroe was clicking in the run game and pass game, while the offensive line did not give up a sack.
The media was utterly amazed in the press box as no one had ever seen a Kirby Smart defense look out of sync. However, things turned in the second half. Alabama could not move the football, failed to convert on third down, could not sustain drives, and failed to make adjustments. This allowed Georgia an opportunity to settle in and get back into the game. The Bulldogs adjusted, but Sheridan slacked off from being in attack mode.
Carson Beck begins to excel in carving up Alabama’s secondary and what was once a blowout became an instant thriller of a game.
Sheridan dialed it back up late with a 75-yard touchdown pass from Milroe to Ryan Williams in the fourth quarter to win the game, but Saturday served as a lesson for him. When you have a team like Georgia on the ropes, you cannot play around with them. Alabama has to deliver knockout blows to opposition and not give them hope.
The lack of adjustments or stepping off the gas from Sheridan in the second half nearly became a tragic loss.
He needs to trust Alabama’s offensive front and its running backs in the second half to put games away.
Sheridan will learn from this moment, but Alabama is now 4-0 after a 41-34 victory over Georgia.
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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.
