How does Alabama’s Ryan Grubb approach fourth-down play calling?

Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) passes against the Georgia Bulldogs in the second half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Last Saturday, Alabama converted on fourth down three times against Missouri, showing the nation the offense is comfortable with taking risks to extend drives and keep the football out of the hands of the opposing team’s offense.

Alabama went for it on fourth down twice in the fourth quarter, which takes a lot of guts to do, especially when it is a close game with the clock winding down in the final quarter.

Ty Simpson heaved a perfectly placed football to wide receiver Lotzeir Brooks on fourth and eight to keep the Crimson Tide offense on the field. Later in the drive, Simpson found running back Daniel Hill in the end zone for an easy completion to put the Tide ahead by two scores.

On Monday, offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb gave insight on how he approached calling plays on fourth down.

“Normally, the discussion honestly happens before the play. We’re pretty dialed going into the football game as far as what we think our go rates are in different situations. So, typically when I start a series, I’ll know what the go is for that. Like on first down, I’ll know what the go is. Leading up to that play, there’s really not a ton of deliberation unless we’ve run out of calls, and if I don’t feel great about the calls we have left on the sheet, I’ll tell Kalen ‘Hey, my best stuff is gone. Probably need to think about punting here.’ So, it’s not too bad. We’ve kind of been through it a few times.”

Coming into the season, Grubb told media members he had an aggressive vision for Alabama’s offense, and that statement aligns with what the Crimson Tide has displayed on the field so far this season, as the offense has gone for it on fourth down in critical moments.

Alabama’s next game will be against Tennessee, and if that game ends up being a close game like the Missouri game, Grubb will likely need to turn to his best remaining plays on his sheet to convert on fourth down, especially if the kicking situation continues to be a liability.