Defense has been the spine of Alabama football year in and year out for decades, but the Crimson Tide’s performance as of late under first year defensive coordinator, Kane Wommack has many labeling this unit as liability, particularly on third down.
Alabama’s defense gave up a notable 16 play drive to South Carolina, which the Gamecocks converted five consecutive third downs, scoring 19 unanswered points before the Tide were able to stop the bleeding defensively to close out the game. Wommack met with media on Monday and pinpointed Alabama’s third down defense in particular, expressing that this area must improve.
“That continues to be an area where we are not operating at an optimum level if we want to be the defense that I think we are capable of being,” Wommack said.
Wommack attributed these struggles to Alabama’s inconsistency as tacklers, after the Tide missed a notable 11 tackles on defense in their recent outing versus South Carolina.
“We’ve been inconsistent when it comes to tackling standpoint,” Wommack said.
Alabama currently ranks No. 27 overall in college football on third down defense this season. Wommack and the Crimson Tide now look to emphasize on these areas ahead of their upcoming road contest against the Tennessee Volunteers that Neyland Stadium.
