What Alabama needs to do to hold off Missouri in second half

Oct 11, 2025; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Kevin Riley (28) scores against Missouri Tigers linebacker Josiah Trotter (40) during the first quarter of the game at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Alabama football leads the Missouri Tigers 17-10 at halftime.

Here is what the Crimson Tide need to do to close out this one:

Contain Ahmad Hardy & Missouri rushing attack

Alabama did a solid job of containing Hardy since the first drive, but let Jamal Roberts gash them late in the first half. They will need to be consistently gap disciplined and make sound tackles against the powerful and explosive back Hardy and the rest of Missouri’s backfield in the second half.

Keep Pribula In The Pocket

Pribula’s biggest impact on this game came when he was running the football and appeared to have Alabama’s defense on their heels. Now that Alabama’s defense has settled in, they should force Pribula to try to beat them from the pocket.

Protect Ty Simpson

Missouri sacked Simpson twice in the first half, and it helped the Tigers stall out Alabama’s drives. The Tide have to protect Simpson better against a talented Missouri defensive front.

Create Opportunities For Wide Receivers

Alabama football has an advantage with its wide receivers vs Missouri’s defensive backs. Isaiah Horton has been impactful in this one so far. Getting Germie Bernard and Ryan Williams more involved could be huge for the Tide.