Growing pains for Alabama football and its coaching staff have now turned into soul searching.
The Crimson Tide’s window to make the 12-team College Football Playoff has dwindled to it cannot lose another game.
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Kalen DeBoer suffered his second loss as Alabama’s head coach to Tennessee last week.
He carried frustration, disappointment, concern, and fear on his face in his postgame presser at Neyland Stadium. The Tide did not play well for a third consecutive full contest, suffering a 17-24 loss to the Volunteers.
Tennessee has smoke victory cigars over Alabama in two of the last three years.
So, what did we learn about the Tide after this loss? The breakdown is below.
1. Jalen Milroe has regressed in the passing game
Something has happened to Jalen Milroe in the passing game.
He played arguably the best he has ever played against Georgia, but has regressed since then.
Milroe looks like the indecisive quarterback he was for much of the 2023 season, until the second half of the year. He had one interception through Alabama’s first four games, yet he has tossed five in its last three matchups. The native Texan had a tipped pass for a takeaway versus Vanderbilt, but he forced passes into coverage against South Carolina and Tennessee — resulting in two interceptions each.
He is not seeing the field well, he is not protecting the football, and Milroe is not taking what the defense gives him.
He has hurt the offense with terrible decision-making in back-to-back games.
2. Alabama’s running backs are non existent
One can only imagine how frustrated Alabama’s running back room is.
They have been on a milk carton for much of the season, outside of a few plays. Does Nick Sheridan notice what he has in the backfield?
It does not seem like it. Dylan Sampson wore down the Crimson Tide’s defense for Tennessee.
He had 26 carries for 139 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Justice Haynes and Jam Miller combined for just 20 carries for 64 yards.
Alabama does not even run the football in the red zone anymore. Sheridan gets cute with passes and it resulted in turnovers. Vanderbilt, South Carolina, and Tennessee trusted its rushing attack, and two of those programs beat the Tide by wearing its defense down.
When is Sheridan going to understand that balance is needed in the Southeastern Conference?
DeBoer and this staff is not in the Pac-12.
One has to run the football with discipline in the SEC to be successful.
3. Wide receivers outside of Ryan Williams are frustrated
Ryan Williams is an amazing talent, but Alabama is force feeding him the ball.
He was targeted 18 times against the Vols, while the next closets receiver (Kendrick Law, Germie Bernard) were targeted just five times. The freshman caught the lone touchdown pass from Jalen Milroe, recording eight receptions for 73 yards.
Alabama has Bernard, Law, Kobe Prentice, Cole Adams, Caleb Odom, Rico Scott, and several tight ends.
DeBoer and Sheridan must know that Williams is not the only receiver on the team.
4. Penalties remain a thorn in Alabama’s side
Penalties were awful two years ago when Alabama played Tennessee at Neyland Stadium, and it happened again last week.
DeBoer’s team was flagged 15 times for a loss of 115 yards.
Alabama is highly undisciplined when it comes to beating the opposition and not defeating itself.
The Tide beat itself versus the Volunteers with several mistakes. Most of the penalties either gave Tennessee life or ruined scoring opportunities for the Tide.
5. Alabama’s defense did its part
Alabama’s defense should be highly agitated with its offense.
Kane Wommack’s pitched a shutout, had three takeaways, frustrated Nico Iamaleava, and contained Dylan Sampson in the first half, yet the Crimson Tide’s offense could not capitalize.
Malachi Moore and Jaylen Mbakwe both had an interception, while Jihaad Campbell recovered a fumble. Deontae Lawson, LT Overton, and Justin Jefferson each recorded a sack. Tennessee converted one of five third-down attempts in the first half, showing everyone Alabama’s defense could get off the field.
The total ineptness on offense for the Tide allowed the Vols to remain alive and take the game in the second half.
Alabama wore down on defense because its offense was terrible.
Tennessee converted five of nine third-down attempt in the second half and Iamaleava found some confidence in the passing game. Sampson had only 35 yards rushing in the first half on Alabama. He pumped out 104 yards rushing and two touchdowns in the second half. Alabama did its best on defense; however, its offense did not complement it at all.
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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.
