DeBoer tells where he thinks Alabama’s offensive line is ahead of LSU

There have been questions about the Alabama offensive line’s capabilities since the beginning of the season, specifically after its performance in the loss to Florida State. The line has stepped up its caliber of play recently, but questions still loom.

Many of the guys on the line have had their ups and downs throughout the season, but the right tackle position is what stands out the most. Wilkin Formby, the starter, has seen freshman Michael Carroll see the field in his place after plenty of struggles.

Right guard has also been an area of interest, as Jaeden Roberts dealt with a concussion before the Florida State game, leaving Geno VanDeMark to get the start. Since then, the two have rotated in and out, with Roberts getting a lone start at South Carolina.

As the season has progressed, the offensive line has seen a variety of combinations and rotations. Still, the argument for Carroll to start over Formby has been gaining the most attention as of late, though.

But with the bye week now behind the Tide, head coach Kalen DeBoer was asked where he believes the line is at ahead of LSU.

“I think we’ve played a lot of different guys,” DeBoer said. “With guys that are dinged up, that led to competition. I think the competitiveness has helped each of them individually. What you want here now is we have all these reps that we’ve had throughout the year, we get into the last couple of games of the season, you want that chemistry that can exist with whoever’s out there to be on another level. So, I think there are things that we do really well. I think we’ve done a pretty good job keeping Ty [Simpson] upright. There’s been a game or two where we’ve struggled a little bit more. But I think it’s well understood that we really want to run the football better than we have, and that’s a group effort, that’s on the offensive line. So, they’re doing their part. I can tell you they’re out here working as hard as ever to be better, hoping to take that next step. I think one of these games here, you’re going to see the run game continue to evolve and help us win football games.”

Getting the run game going has been a struggle for the Tide all season, but it’s managed to get by with the use of wide receiver Germie Bernard and others helping out in the backfield, and also just with how dominant the pass game has been.

Although it’s worked out for Alabama up to this point, there’s nothing to say that it can’t be what leads to a loss, so it will need to get the rush attack cleaned up over the next few weeks as the Crimson Tide heads into the final stretch of the season.

No matter who gets the start, the Tide will hope for a clean performance from the offensive line as it takes on the LSU Tigers on Saturday before facing No. 11 Oklahoma and Eastern Illinois at home, and then making the trip to Auburn for the Iron Bowl.