Although Alabama picked up a much-needed win in week seven, it was not the most appeasing victory we have seen from the Crimson Tide this season. It was actually far from it.
Today, we will take a look at five takeaways from the Crimson Tide’s two-point victory over the Gamecocks.
1. Coaching adjustments have been few and far between
One thing that I have noticed in the last three weeks is Alabama’s inability to make adjustments throughout the game. The Crimson Tide are very fortunate to be 5-1. In week seven, Alabama offensive tackle Elijah Pritchett struggled to win in one-on-one situations against South Carolina’s pass rushers. Instead of placing a tight end alongside Pritchett, offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan continued to let Pritchett try to win one-on-one. That was not a great idea as Pritchett had trouble the entire game. Defensively, Alabama could not stop the run and could not create an effective pass rush. Instead of stacking the box or using different blitzes and stunts, Wommack seemed to stick with the original gameplan which wasn’t working. Coaching adjustments need to be made moving forward or Alabama will be in over its head sooner than later.
2. Kobe Prentice and Kendrick Law are greatly missed
For the past two weeks, Alabama has been without wide receiver Kendrick Law. The Louisiana native is used in a variety of different ways. He can catch the football and blocks better than any wide receiver on the roster. His presence has been missed in the last two games. Another key piece to Alabama’s offense has missed the last game and a half. That is junior wideout Kobe Prentice. He suffered a concussion in the first half of week six’s contest against Vanderbilt and has not returned to action. Both are key playmakers in the Crimson Tide offense. Coach DeBoer mentioned earlier in the week how each of them were slowly working their way back from injuries. In week seven, it was pretty clear that they were missed.
3. Domani Jackson has taken the reigns as CB1
After suffering an injury in the first half, Domani Jackson’s status to return to the game was up in the air for the second half. However, the USC transfer returned to action and ultimately recorded the game-saving interception. Over the course of the season, Jackson has been rarely tested. Opposing offenses have gone away from Jackson, because he is Alabama’s top cornerback. If he would not have returned in week six, there is a good chance that Alabama comes away with a loss and falls to 4-2. Jackson has quickly emerged as Alabama’s CB1 and will need to continue to lead by example for the Crimson Tide.
4. Running game needs to improve
One area that Alabama has seemingly regressed in is running the football effectively this season. Running backs Jam Miller and Justice Haynes have each had a game a piece this season where they rushed for over 100 yards. Outside of that, they have each struggled. A large part of that could stem from their lack of carries, however. Whatever the case may be, the running game has been ineffective to say the least. Alabama must be able to sustain success on the ground moving forward. Otherwise, it will make the offense one-dimensional and predictable.
5. Front-seven continues to struggle to stop run
South Carolina took advantage of Alabama’s weaknesses with stopping the run. The Gamecocks methodically moved the ball down the field and chewed clock by picking up three to four yards per carry. That is something that cannot continue to happen. Alabama’s offense has too much firepower and big-play ability to be sitting on the sideline. To begin the second half, the Gamecocks had a 16-play drive that lasted eight minutes and 40 seconds. Alabama failed to adjust and almost lost as a result. In the past two games, Alabama has lost the time of possession and a lot of that stems from being unable to stop the run. That is an area that needs improvement moving forward.
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